Chaetopleura papilio

hairy chiton
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Mollusca
Class: Polyplacophora
Subclass: Neoloricata
Order: Chitonida
Superfamily: Chitonoidea
Family: Chaetopleuridae
Genus: Chaetopleura
Subgenus: Chaetopleura
Species: C. papilio
Binomial name
Chaetopleura papilio
(Spengler, 1797)
Synonyms[1]

Chiton papilio Spengler, 1797 (basionym)

The hairy chiton, Chaetopleura papilio, is a species of chiton in the family Chaetopleuridae. It is a marine mollusc.

Contents

Distribution

This species is found from the central Namibian coast to False Bay in South Africa, intertidally to at least 20 m.[2]

Description

The hairy chiton has brown and black banded valves. A darker stripe runs down the centre of the valves. It can grow up to 70 mm in total length. The girdle is covered with black spines.[3]

Ecology

This is a solitary animal.

References

  1. ^ Schwabe, E. (2009). Chaetopleura (Chaetopleura) papilio (Spengler, 1797). In: Bouchet, P.; Gofas, S.; Rosenberg, G. World Marine Mollusca database. Accessed through the World Register of Marine Species at http://marinespecies.org/aphia.php?p=taxdetails&id=224919 on 2010-04-07
  2. ^ Branch, G.M., Branch, M.L, Griffiths, C.L. & Beckley, L.E (2005). Two Oceans: a guide to the marine life of southern Africa ISBN 0-86486-672-0
  3. ^ Kilburn, R. & Rippey, E. (1982). Sea Shells of Southern Africa. MacMillan, South Africa, ISBN 0-86954-094-7