PORT PHILLIP BAY


Chiton 

Leptoplax wilsoni (Sykes, 1896)

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.

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:
Leptoplax
Species:
wilsoni

General Description

Flattened oval shaped body with 8 shell sections (valves) surrounded by a fleshy girdle.

Biology

This chiton probably grazes on algae and encrusting invertebrates for food.

Habitat

To depth of 8 m.

Reefs

Coastal shores

Soft substrates

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

Diet

Herbivore

Commercial Species

No

Global Dispersal

Native to Australia

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, Leptoplax wilsoni, in Taxonomic Toolkit for marine life of Port Phillip Bay, Museum Victoria, accessed 10 Dec 2024, http://136.154.202.208:8098/species/5712

Text: creative commons cc by licence