Callochiton dentatus
Species of mollusc
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Callochiton dentatus, the broad chiton, is a medium to large-sized polyplacophoran mollusc in the family Callochitonidae,[1] found on the coast of southern Africa.
| Callochiton dentatus | |
|---|---|
| |
Scientific classification  | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Mollusca |
| Class: | Polyplacophora |
| Order: | Chitonida |
| Family: | Ischnochitonidae |
| Genus: | Callochiton |
| Species: | C. dentatus |
| Binomial name | |
| Callochiton dentatus Spengler, 1797 | |
| Synonyms | |
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Description
This is a very flat and broad chiton with valves that are dark brown to orange, shiny and finely granulated. The wide girdle is densely covered with very small, elongate scales that produce a velvet-like texture. The margin of each valve contains a diagnostic slit that is visible if the girdle is pulled away. The species reaches a size of 20–50 mm.[2]
Distribution and habitat
Callochiton dentatus occurs along the south coast of Africa, from Namibia to the south coast of KwaZulu-Natal in South Africa. It is uncommon and can usually be found as solitary individuals under rocks near the low tide mark.[2] The original description by Lorenz Spengler recorded it at the Cape of Good Hope.[3]
