PORT PHILLIP BAY


Chiton 

Stenochiton cymodocealis Ashby, 1918

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:
Valves with network or mesh-like pattern of lines (reticulate). Girdle covered with very small, glossy scales.

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:
Stenochiton
Species:
cymodocealis

General Description

Narrow, flattened oval-shaped body, with 8 shell sections (valves) surrounded by a fleshy girdle. Purple-brown with white patterning. Up to 2 cm long.

Biology

These small chitons use their girdle to grasp and hang on to blades of seagrasses. They can scrape food from the blades of grass.

Habitat

On seagrass, below low tide level, to depth of 6 m.

Reefs

Seagrass meadows

Coastal shores

Distribution guide

Southern Australia.

Species Group

Sea snails and shells › Chitons

Depth

Shallow (1-30 m)

Water Column

On or near sea floor

Max Size

2 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, Stenochiton cymodocealis, in Taxonomic Toolkit for marine life of Port Phillip Bay, Museum Victoria, accessed 09 Oct 2024, http://136.154.202.208:8098/species/5707

Text: creative commons cc by licence