''Chiton olivaceus'', the green chiton, is a
species
In biology, a species is the basic unit of classification and a taxonomic rank of an organism, as well as a unit of biodiversity. A species is often defined as the largest group of organisms in which any two individuals of the appropriate s ...
of
chiton
Chitons () are marine molluscs of varying size in the class Polyplacophora (), formerly known as Amphineura. About 940 extant and 430 fossil species are recognized.
They are also sometimes known as gumboots or sea cradles or coat-of-mail s ...
, a
marine
Marine is an adjective meaning of or pertaining to the sea or ocean.
Marine or marines may refer to:
Ocean
* Maritime (disambiguation)
* Marine art
* Marine biology
* Marine debris
* Marine habitats
* Marine life
* Marine pollution
Military
* ...
polyplacophoran
mollusk
Mollusca is the second-largest phylum of invertebrate animals after the Arthropoda, the members of which are known as molluscs or mollusks (). Around 85,000 extant species of molluscs are recognized. The number of fossil species is e ...
in the family
Chitonidae, the typical chitons.
Description
''Chiton olivaceus'' can reach a length of and a width of about . These large chitons have carinate plates with strongs ribs. The shell is oblong and oval. In the front and rear plates ribs have a radial pattern. The intermediate
valves show a sharp beak and rounded sutural plates. Colors are very variable, ranging from olive-gray (hence the common name) to yellow-brown, sometimes black, orange, red or yellow. The girdle surrounding all of the valves is quite large and covered by bristles and scales.
[Mondo Marino]
The teeth of these grazers of algae
[D. I. MacKinnon,Daphne E. Lee,J. D. Campbel]
Brachiopods Through Time
/ref> are composed of magnetite, the hardest material usable by a living being.
Distribution
This species is common in the Mediterranean sea around Italy and Greece, but can also to be found in the nearby Atlantic Ocean.
/ref>
Habitat
''Chiton olivaceus'' occur on a solid substrate, particularly stones and rocks, in the zones of sweeping of the waves, at a low depth.[
]
References
Chitonidae
Chitons described in 1797
{{Chiton-stub