| Chiton politus | |
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| Subgenus: | Chiton (Rhyssoplax) |
| Species: | C. politus |
| Binomial name | |
| Chiton politus Spengler, 1797 | |
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Chiton politus, the tulip chiton, is a medium-sized polyplacophoran mollusc in the family Chitonidae, [1] found on the coast of southern Africa.
The species can display a variety of shell patterns consisting of brown patches and zigzags on smooth pink valves. The central section of each valve often has a striped pattern. The girdle is covered with smooth, overlapping scales and also striped. Average adult length is 30–40 mm. [2]
C. politus occurs along the south coast of Africa, from Cape Columbine in Namibia to the south coast of KwaZulu-Natal in South Africa. It is quite common 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]
Chitons are marine molluscs of varying size in the class Polyplacophora, formerly known as Amphineura. About 940 extant and 430 fossil species are recognized.
The hunchback amphipod, Iphimedia gibba, is a species of amphipod crustacean. It is a marine arthropod in the family Iphimediidae. It was first described in 1955 by Keppel Harcourt Barnard as Cypsiphimedia gibba.
The Mediterranean mussel is a species of bivalve, a marine mollusc in the family Mytilidae. It is an invasive species in many parts of the world, and also an object of aquaculture.
The hairy chiton is a species of chiton in the family Chaetopleuridae. It is a marine mollusc.
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.
Anteaeolidiella saldanhensis, is a species of sea slug, an aeolid nudibranch. It is a shell-less marine gastropod mollusc in the family Aeolidiidae.
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.
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.
Acanthochitona garnoti, the spiny chiton, is a medium-sized polyplacophoran mollusc in the family Acanthochitonidae, 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.
The Marine biodiversity of South Africa is the variety of living organisms that live in the seas off the coast of South Africa. It includes genetic, species and ecosystems biodiversity in a range of habitats spread over a range of ecologically varied regions, influenced by the geomorphology of the seabed and circulation of major and local water masses, which distribute both living organisms and nutrients in complex and time-variable patterns.
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