Acanthochitonidae | |
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Acanthochitona zelandica | |
Scientific classification ![]() | |
Domain: | Eukaryota |
Kingdom: | Animalia |
Phylum: | Mollusca |
Class: | Polyplacophora |
Order: | Chitonida |
Suborder: | Acanthochitonina |
Family: | Acanthochitonidae Pilsbry, 1893 |
Synonyms | |
Acanthochitidae |
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.
Acanthochitonidae are characterized by a broad girdle covered in coarse spines with erect tufts of up to ten large bristles. The coarsely granular valves of the shell are partially overlapped by the girdle. The articulating flange, or articulamentum, is well developed. The margin of the cephalic plate has about five slits, and the lateral insertion plates all have a single notch. These small to large chitons have a distinctive appearance, and are easily recognizable by their characteristic spiny girdle.
Acanthochitonidae chitons are found in a variety of marine habitats, including rocky intertidal zones, coral reefs, and seagrass beds. They are also found in deep sea environments, with some species occurring as deep as 3,000 meters. Acanthochitonidae chitons are known to be active grazers, feeding primarily on algae and detritus.
Like other chitons, Acanthochitonidae are dioecious, meaning they have separate sexes. Fertilization is external, with males releasing sperm into the water, which is then taken in by females. The eggs are then fertilized internally and laid in capsules that are cemented to hard surfaces.
Acanthochitonidae chitons play an important role in marine ecosystems, serving as grazers and helping to maintain the balance of marine communities. They are preyed upon by a variety of predators, including sea stars, crabs, and fish.
Several species of Acanthochitonidae chitons are of conservation concern, particularly in areas where they are heavily harvested for food or decorative purposes. In some regions, they are also threatened by habitat destruction and pollution.
The family Acanthochitonidae includes approximately 80 species, distributed across 13 genera. Taxonomic classification within this family has been a subject of debate, with some species being moved between genera or reassigned to other families. Molecular phylogenetic studies have helped to clarify the relationships between different taxa within the family, and have led to the establishment of several new genera.
According to the World Register of Marine Species (WoRMS) the following genera are included in this family: [1]
Chitons are marine molluscs of varying size in the class Polyplacophora, formerly known as Amphineura. About 940 extant and 430 fossil species are recognized.
Chilodontaidae is a taxonomic family of mostly small deepwater sea snails, marine gastropod molluscs in the clade Vetigastropoda.
Cryptoconchus porosus, the butterfly chiton, is a species of chiton, a marine polyplacophoran mollusc in the family Acanthochitonidae.
Ischnochiton is a genus of polyplacophoran mollusc.
Acanthochitona is a genus of chitons in the family Acanthochitonidae, of worldwide distribution.
Notoplax is a genus of chitons in the family Acanthochitonidae.
Craspedochiton is a genus of chitons in the family Acanthochitonidae, endemic to New Zealand, the Philippines and Australia.
Mopalia muscosa, the mossy chiton, is a species of chiton, a polyplacophoran, an eight-plated marine mollusk. It is a northeastern Pacific species which occurs from British Columbia, Canada, to Baja California Mexico.
Chitonidae is a family of chitons or polyplacophorans, marine mollusks whose shell is composed of eight articulating plates or valves. There are fifteen extant genera in three subfamilies.
Chitonida is an order of chitons. The order was erected to class chitons with elaborate hull outgrowths on their eggs.
Clathurellinae was a subfamily of small to quite large sea snails, marine gastropod mollusks in the family Conidae.
Chaetopleura is a genus of chitons in the family Chaetopleuridae. The species within this genus are marine molluscs.
Acanthochitona fascicularis, the Velvety mail shell, is a common chiton in the family Acanthochitonidae.
Ischnochitonidae is a family of polyplacophoran mollusc belonging to the superfamily Chitonoidea.
Chaetopleuridae is a family of chitons. They are marine molluscs.
The Skeneidae are a speciose family of minute to small marine gastropod molluscs in the superfamily Trochoidea.
Acteocina is a genus of very small sea snails, bubble snails, marine opisthobranch gastropod mollusks in the family Tornatinidae, the canoe bubbles or chalice bubble snails.
Acanthochitona garnoti, the spiny chiton, is a medium-sized polyplacophoran mollusc in the family Acanthochitonidae, found on the coast of southern Africa.
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.
Callistoplacidae is a family of chitons belonging to the order Chitonida.