PORT PHILLIP BAY


Chiton 

Acanthochitona bednalli (Pilsbry, 1894)

View scientific description and taxonomy

Scientific Details

Suborder and Family level characters:
Valves touching, body shape oval.
Insertion plate of anterior valve usually with 5 slits.

Species level characters:
Valves with small, flat-topped swollen lumps (pustules). Middle valves with longitudinal grooves (sulci) along the dorsal midline. Girdle with dense covering of tiny spicules. Large grey-green tufts of very long spines (spicules) on the girdle where the valves meet one another (sutural tufts).

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:
Acanthochitonina
Family:
Acanthochitonidae
Genus:
Acanthochitona
Species:
bednalli

General Description

Flattened oval shaped body with 8 shell sections (valves) surrounded by a fleshy girdle. Brown to grey with yellow to red markings. Up to 3 cm long.

Biology

This small chiton clings to rocks and probably grazes on algae or encrusting invertebrates for food. They are sometimes found on the pneumatophores of mangroves.

Habitat

Under rocks, often those in muddy areas, from mid tide to below low tide areas, to depth of 15 m.

Reefs

Soft substrates

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

3 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, Acanthochitona bednalli, in Taxonomic Toolkit for marine life of Port Phillip Bay, Museum Victoria, accessed 13 Jan 2025, http://136.154.202.208:8098/species/5693

Text: creative commons cc by licence