''Callochiton dentatus'', the broad chiton, is a medium to large-sized polyplacophoran mollusc in the

family Family (from la, familia) is a group of people related either by consanguinity (by recognized birth) or affinity (by marriage or other relationship). The purpose of the family is to maintain the well-being of its members and of society. Idea ...

Callochitonidae Callochitonidae is a family of molluscs belonging to the order Chitonida. Genera: * ''Callochiton'' Gray, 1847 * '' Eudoxochiton'' Shuttleworth, 1853 * ''Leloupia ''Leloupia'' is a monotypic genus of chitons belonging to the family Callochitoni ...

, found on the coast of southern Africa.

Description

This is a very flat and broad chiton with

valve A valve is a device or natural object that regulates, directs or controls the flow of a fluid (gases, liquids, fluidized solids, or slurries) by opening, closing, or partially obstructing various passageways. Valves are technically fitting ...

s that are dark brown to orange, shiny and finely granulated. The wide

girdle A belt, especially if a cord or rope, is called a girdle if it is worn as part of Christian liturgical vestments, or in certain historical, literary or sports contexts. Girdles are used to close a cassock in Christian denominations, including th ...

is densely covered with very small, elongate scales that produce a velvet-like texture. The margin of each valve contains a diagnostic slit that is visible if the girdle is pulled away. The species reaches a size of 20–50 mm.

Distribution and habitat

''Callochiton dentatus'' occurs along the south coast of Africa, from

Cape Columbine Cape Columbine is well known for its lighthouse, the last staffed lighthouse built on the South African coast The Cape Columbine Lighthouse was commissioned on October 1, 1936. Both the headland and lighthouse derive their name from the barque C ...

Namibia Namibia (, ), officially the Republic of Namibia, is a country in Southern Africa. Its western border is the Atlantic Ocean. It shares land borders with Zambia and Angola to the north, Botswana to the east and South Africa to the south and ea ...

to the south coast of KwaZulu-Natal in

South Africa South Africa, officially the Republic of South Africa (RSA), is the Southern Africa, southernmost country in Africa. It is bounded to the south by of coastline that stretch along the Atlantic Ocean, South Atlantic and Indian Oceans; to the ...

. It is uncommon and can usually be found as solitary individuals under rocks near the low tide mark. The original description by

Lorenz Spengler Lorenz Spengler (22 September 1720 – 20 December 1807) was a Danish turner and naturalist. Born in Schaffhausen, Switzerland he arrived at Copenhagen in 1743 and became a tutor to Christian VI of Denmark and later Frederick V of Denmark in th ...

recorded it at the Cape of Good Hope.

References

Callochitonidae Molluscs of Africa Chitons described in 1797 {{chiton-stub