Chiton salihafui | |
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Subgenus: | Chiton (Rhyssoplax) |
Species: | C. salihafui |
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Chiton salihafui (Bullock, 1972) | |
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Chiton salihafui, the python chiton, is a medium-sized polyplacophoran mollusc in the family Chitonidae, [1] found on the west coast of Africa.
The valves are each bear an elongate dark triangle which is offset by a lighter area, and their central portions are marked with clear longitudinal striations. The girdle is covered with smooth, overlapping scales. The species somewhat resembles Chiton politus . Average adult length is 40 mm. [2]
C. salihafui occurs along the west coast of Africa, having been recorded from Tanzania, Somalia, Mozambique and the northernmost part of South Africa, where the only known colony is a single location in Maputaland. It can be found under shady overhangs relatively high on the shore. [2] [3]
The species is collected for use in traditional medicine, a practice that may have led to considerable depletion of the limited populations in the southern extremes of its range. It has been suggested that collectors be co-opted into conservation efforts by asking them to collect preferentially from the lower parts of the shore, thus shifting the pressure onto the more common Onithochiton literatus . [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 redfingers is a species of marine ray-finned fish, belonging to the family Cheilodactylidae, commonly referred to as morwongs. It is found only off the coasts of Namibia and South Africa, in rock pools and from shallow depths to 120 m, on rocky reef areas. Its length is up to 30 cm.
The barred fingerfin is a species of marine ray-finned fish, belonging to the family Cheilodactylidae, commonly referred to as morwongs. It is found only in the southeastern Atlantic and southwestern Indian Oceans off the coasts of South Africa.
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.
The tree sponge is a species of demosponge. It is known from the west coast of South Africa to Cape Agulhas. It is endemic to this region.
Aulacomya atra, called also the Magellan mussel or the ribbed mussel, is a southern species of edible saltwater mussel, a marine bivalve mollusk in the family Mytilidae, the true mussels. Note that the common name ribbed mussel is also used of the Northern Hemisphere mussel Geukensia demissa.
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 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.
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 western coast of southern Africa. It was originally considered a subspecies of the giant chiton.
Acanthopleura echinata is a Southeast Pacific species of edible chiton, a marine polyplacophoran mollusc in the family Chitonidae, the typical chitons.
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.