Ischnochiton textilis
Ischnochiton textilis, the textile chiton, is a medium-sized polyplacophoran mollusc in the family Ischnochitonidae,[1] endemic to the coasts of South Africa and Namibia.
| Ischnochiton textilis | |
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| Species: | I. textilis |
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| Ischnochiton textilis (Gray, 1847) | |
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Description
The shell is pale yellow to grey. Lateral areas and end valves bear fine radiating ridges, while the central plates are subtly pitted. The girdle is covered in small oval scales, each crossed by 12-24 fine ridges visible only under the microscope. The species is 20–40 mm in size.[2]
Distribution and habitat
I. textilis occurs along the coastline of Southern Africa. Along the coast of the Cape of Good Hope, groups are common on the underside of boulders in rock pools, from where it may detach and roll up into a ball if disturbed.[2]
References
- B. Marshall (2015). "Ischnochiton textilis". WoRMS. World Register of Marine Species. Retrieved 27 December 2016.
- Branch, G. M.; Griffiths, C. L.; Branch, M. L.; Beckley, L. E. (2010). Two Oceans: a Guide to the Marine Life of Southern Africa. Cape Town: Struik Nature.
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