| Acanthochitona garnoti | |
|---|---|
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Scientific classification  | |
| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Mollusca |
| Class: | Polyplacophora |
| Order: | Chitonida |
| Family: | Acanthochitonidae |
| Genus: | Acanthochitona |
| Species: | A. garnoti |
| Binomial name | |
| Acanthochitona garnoti (Blainville, 1825) | |
| Synonyms | |
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Acanthochitona garnoti, the spiny chiton, is a medium-sized polyplacophoran mollusc in the family Acanthochitonidae, [1] found on the coast of southern Africa.
This species is conspicuous for the nine paired tufts or rosettes of long glassy spines that decorate its girdle. Between the tufts, the girdle bears many smaller spicules. The spicules are sharp, and if carelessly handled, easily penetrate the human skin, where they detach and remain, becoming painfully irritating. [2]
The valves are of a dull brown color and marked with oblique pale stripes. They are largely concealed by the girdle. Adult size is 30–45 mm. [2]
A. garnoti occurs along the south coast of Africa, from Cape Columbine in Namibia to the south coast of KwaZulu-Natal in South Africa. It can be found on exposed rock surfaces high up in the inter-tidal zone, a location that is unusually far from the water for chitons. [2]
The species is mostly active at night, foraging by grazing in a small radius (10–30 cm) around its location. Both the range and the pattern of foraging are adapted to the type of substrate, with different strategies adopted on rocky versus sandy ground. [3]
Chitons are marine molluscs of varying size in the class Polyplacophora, formerly known as Amphineura. About 940 extant and 430 fossil species are recognized.
Acanthochitona zelandica is a species of chiton in the family Acanthochitonidae, also sometimes known as the hairy, or "tufted", chiton. It probably developed during the mid to late Pleistocene, and is endemic to New Zealand.
Acanthochitonidae is a family of marine mollusks belonging to the class Polyplacophora, commonly known as chitons. Species are widely distributed throughout the world's oceans, but are most commonly found in the shallow waters of the Pacific Ocean, from Alaska to Chile.
Chaetopleura pertusa, the orange hairy chiton, is a species of chitons in the family Chaetopleuridae. It is a marine mollusc. It is endemic to South Africa.
Dinoplax gigas, the giant chiton, is a species of chiton in the family Chaetopleuridae. It is a marine mollusc.
Mopalia ciliata is a chiton in the genus Mopalia, commonly known as the hairy chiton. It is a medium-sized marine mollusc up to 5.0 cm (2.0 in) in length. It is oval shaped with 8 separate, moderately elevated, overlapping ridged valves on its dorsal surface. Hairy chitons can be found along the coast of North America.
Acanthochitona fascicularis, the Velvety mail shell, is a common chiton in the family Acanthochitonidae.
Plaxiphora albida, the white Plaxiphora chiton, is a species of chiton in the family Mopaliidae.
Plaxiphora egregia is a distinctive chiton in the family Mopaliidae, endemic to the South Island of New Zealand, where it is uncommon.
Ischnochiton textilis, the textile chiton, is a medium-sized polyplacophoran mollusc in the family Ischnochitonidae, endemic to the coasts of South Africa and Namibia.
Ischnochiton oniscus, the dwarf chiton, is a small polyplacophoran mollusc in the family Ischnochitonidae, endemic to the coast of southern Africa.
Ischnochiton bergoti, the ribbed-scale chiton, is a small polyplacophoran mollusc in the family Ischnochitonidae, endemic to the west coast of southern Africa.
Chiton salihafui, the python chiton, is a medium-sized polyplacophoran mollusc in the family Chitonidae, found on the west coast of Africa.
Chiton politus, the tulip chiton, is a medium-sized polyplacophoran mollusc in the family Chitonidae, found on the coast of southern Africa.
Radsia nigrovirescens, the brooding chiton, is a small polyplacophoran mollusc in the family Chitonidae, found on the west coast of southern Africa.
Callochiton dentatus, the broad chiton, is a medium to large-sized polyplacophoran mollusc in the family Callochitonidae, found on the coast of southern Africa.
Onithochiton literatus, the black chiton, is a medium to large-sized polyplacophoran mollusc in the family Chitonidae, found on the east coast of Africa.
Dinoplax validifossus, the Natal giant chiton, is a large polyplacophoran mollusc in the family Chaetopleuridae, found on the eastern coast of southern Africa. It was originally considered a subspecies of the giant chiton.
Acanthochitona crinita is a species of marine chiton in the family Acanthochitonidae. It is found on rocky coasts in the northeastern Atlantic Ocean, the North Sea and the Mediterranean Sea.