- Giant chiton
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giant chiton Scientific classification Kingdom: Animalia Phylum: Mollusca Class: Polyplacophora Subclass: Neoloricata Order: Chitonida Superfamily: Chitonoidea Family: Chaetopleuridae Genus: Dinoplax Species: D. gigas Binomial name Dinoplax gigas
(Gmelin, 1791)The giant chiton, Dinoplax gigas, is a species of chiton in the family Chaetopleuridae.[1] It is a marine mollusc.
Contents
Distribution
This species is found around the South African coast from the Cape Peninsula to Durban, subtidally to at least 5m.[2]
Description
The giant chiton is large, growing up to 120 mm in total length, and has strongly arched grey or brown valves. The girdle is brown, spotted with black and has tufts of short hairs.[3]
Ecology
This species hides under rocks during the day but emerges at night.
References
- ^ http://www.marinespecies.org/aphia.php search term Dinoplax accessed 7 April 2010
- ^ 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
External links
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