PORT PHILLIP BAY


Chiton 

Craspedochiton variabilis (Adams & Angas, 1864)

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:
Anterior valve with small swollen lumps (pustules) and five indistinct ridges. Middle valves with small swollen lumps (pustules) arranged in lines in the central area, and small and slightly raised at the edges (lateral areas). Posterior valve with a small convex section on the anterior edge (mucro). Girdle with small scales and glossy tufts 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:
Craspedochiton
Species:
variabilis

General Description

Flattened oval shaped body with 8 shell sections (valves) surrounded by a fleshy girdle. Colour variable including: green with patches of black or yellow, black and white, or all black. Up to 1 cm long.

Biology

This tiny species is usually living on the rock platform where calcerous algae grows.

Habitat

Under rocks, below mid tide level, to depth of 15 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

1 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, Craspedochiton variabilis, in Taxonomic Toolkit for marine life of Port Phillip Bay, Museum Victoria, accessed 21 Sep 2024, http://136.154.202.208:8098/species/5713

Text: creative commons cc by licence