Cryptoconchus porosus
| Cryptoconchus porosus | |
|---|---|
.JPG) | |
| Cryptoconchus porosus from Auckland, New Zealand | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Mollusca |
| Class: | Polyplacophora |
| Order: | Chitonida |
| Family: | Acanthochitonidae |
| Genus: | Cryptoconchus |
| Species: | C. porosus |
| Binomial name | |
| Cryptoconchus porosus (Burrow, 1815) | |
Cryptoconchus porosus, the butterfly chiton, is a species of chitons, a marine polyplacophoran mollusk in the family Acanthochitonidae.[1][2][3]
Synonyms
Cryptoplax depressus Blainville, 1818
Chiton leachi Blainville, 1825
Chiton monticularis Quoy and Gaimard, 1835
Cryptoconchus stewartianus Rochebrune, 1882
Acanthochites porosus Suter, 1913
Description
Cryptoconchus porosus can reach a length of about 45–75 millimetres (1.8–3.0 in).[4][5] The valves are almost completely covered by a fleshy nodular girdle. They have many gills, but no eyes. The shell consist of eight interlocking plates surrounded by the girdle, but young specimens usually have only seven plates. Color of the surface ranges from brown to bright orange, while the underside is often blue.[6]
Distribution and habitat
Cryptoconchus porosus are present in New Zealand [2][7] and Madagascar.[8] These quite common grazers prefer outer exposed rocks in areas of sweeping of the waves, in the low intertidal and shallow subtidal zone.[6]
References
- Powell A W B, New Zealand Mollusca, William Collins Publishers Ltd, Auckland, New Zealand 1979 ISBN 0-00-216906-1
- URMO: UNESCO-IOC Register of Marine Organisms. Land J. van der (ed)
- ВI Bbewin - 1939 The Breeding Habits of Cryptoconchus porosus (Burrow)