PORT PHILLIP BAY


Chiton 

Ischnochiton cariosus Carpenter, 1892

View scientific description and taxonomy

Scientific Details

Suborder and Family level characters:
Tegmentum always present.
Anterior valve with 6 or more slits.
Insertion plates not pectinate.
Posterior valve without terminal sinus.

Species level characters:
Anterior valve with irregular radiating ridges. Middle valves with radiating longitudinal lines in the central area, and with ridges radiating outward at the edges (lateral areas). Girdle covered with 2 sets of scales, large near the shell and small, sometimes with fine lines (striate) at the outer edge.

Sources:
Macpherson, J. H. and Gabriel, C. J. (1962) Marine Molluscs of Victoria.
Kass, P., Jones, A. M. and Gowlett-Holmes, K. L. (1998) Polyplacophora, in: Mollusca: the southern synthesis, Australian Biological Resources Study.

Taxonomy

Phylum:
Mollusca
Class:
Polyplacophora
Order:
Neoloricata
Suborder:
Ischnochitonina
Family:
Ischnochitonidae
Subfamily:
Ischnochitoninae
Genus:
Ischnochiton
Subgenus:
Heterozona
Species:
cariosus

General Description

Flattened oval shaped body with 8 shell sections (valves) surrounded by a fleshy girdle. Colour variable from pale yellow to brown. Up to 5 cm long.

Biology

This is a common species in rock pools along most of Victoria's open coast.

Habitat

Under rocks in tidal pools on exposed coast, to depth of 28 m.

Reefs

Coastal shores

Distribution guide

Southern Australia.

Species Group

Sea snails and shells › Chitons

Depth

Shore (0-1 m)
Shallow (1-30 m)

Water Column

On or near sea floor

Max Size

5 cm

Diet

Herbivore

Commercial Species

No

Global Dispersal

Native to Australia

Identify

Conservation Status

  • DSE Advisory List : Not listed
  • EPBC Act 1999 : Not listed
  • IUCN Red List : Not listed

Author

article author Patullo, B.

Blair Patullo is Online Producer for marine projects at Museum Victoria.

citation

Cite this page as:
Patullo, B., 2011, Chiton, Ischnochiton cariosus, in Taxonomic Toolkit for marine life of Port Phillip Bay, Museum Victoria, accessed 13 Jan 2025, http://136.154.202.208:8098/species/5684

Text: creative commons cc by licence