- Chaetopleura pertusa
-
orange hairy chiton Scientific classification Kingdom: Animalia Phylum: Mollusca Class: Polyplacophora Subclass: Neoloricata Order: Chitonida Superfamily: Chitonoidea Family: Chaetopleuridae Genus: Chaetopleura Subgenus: Chaetopleura Species: C. pertusa Binomial name Chaetopleura pertusa
(Reeve, 1847)Synonyms[1] Chiton pertusus Reeve, 1847 (basionym)
The orange hairy chiton, Chaetopleura pertusa, is a species of chitons in the family Chaetopleuridae. It is a marine mollusc. It is endemic to South Africa.
Contents
Distribution
This species is found around the South African coast from Saldanha Bay to Kosi Bay, subtidally to at least 20 m.[2]
Description
The orange hairy chiton is a distinctive chiton with pink or orange mottled valves. The valves have a granular texture and are surrounded by a wide girdle of pink or orange. The girdle has branched bristles and short hairs. The animal may grow up to 50 mm in total length.[3]
Ecology
The orange hairy chiton lives under rocks during the day but emerges at night.
References
- ^ Schwabe, E. (2009). Chaetopleura (Chaetopleura) pertusa (Reeve, 1847). In: Bouchet, P.; Gofas, S.; Rosenberg, G. World Marine Mollusca database. Accessed through the World Register of Marine Species at http://marinespecies.org/aphia.php?p=taxdetails&id=224920 on 2010-04-07
- ^ Branch, G.M., Branch, M.L, Griffiths, C.L. and Beckley, L.E (2005): Two Oceans: a guide to the marine life of southern Africa ISBN 0-86486-672-0
- ^ Kilburn, R. and Rippey, E. Sea Shells of Southern Africa MacMillan South Africa 1982 ISBN 0-86954-094-7
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