PORT PHILLIP BAY


Chiton 

Ischnochiton australis (Sowerby, 1840)

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 20-30 radiating ridges. Middle valves with longitudinal ridges in the central area, and with 3 or 4 ridges radiating outward to the edges (lateral areas). Posterior valve with a small convex section on the anterior edge (mucro).

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:
Ischnoradsia
Species:
australis

General Description

Flattened oval shaped body with 8 shell sections (valves) surrounded by a fleshy girdle. Usually dark green or green-blue. Up to 8 cm long.

Biology

This large chiton is common on rocks in western and central Victoria.

Habitat

Under rocks on most rock platforms, below mid tide level to depth of 12 m.

Reefs

Coastal shores

Distribution guide

South-eastern 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

8 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 australis, in Taxonomic Toolkit for marine life of Port Phillip Bay, Museum Victoria, accessed 13 Jan 2025, http://136.154.202.208:8098/species/5689

Text: creative commons cc by licence