General Description
Body pattern varies, usually black with a white stripe along the middle. Other patterns include dark green, red, blue, brown to cream and with dots or V-shaped markings. The eight plates (valves) on top of the body touch one another, are wide, and together form an oval shape. Shell up to 4 cm long.
Biology
Elongate Ischnochitons graze on algae and animals that encrust rocks. They are very common. There are a number of related species in south-eastern Australian waters.
Distribution
South-eastern Australia.
Habitat
Under rocks in tidal pools and shallow subtidal rocky reefs.
More Information
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Animal Type
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Animal SubType
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Brief Id
Wide plates, oval shape.
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Colours
Black, White, Green, Brown
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Habitats
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Diet
Omnivore
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Diet Categories
Algae, Encrusting Invertebrates
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Endemicity
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Commercial
No
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Conservation Statuses
CITES: Not listed, FFG Threatened List: Not listed, DSE Advisory List: Not listed, IUCN Red List: Not listed
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Depths
Shore (0-1 m), Shallow (1-30 m)
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Water Column Locations
On or near seafloor
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Taxon Name
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Scientific Author
(Blainville, 1825)
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Common Name
Elongate Ischnochiton
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Other Names
Chiton
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Phylum
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Class
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Order
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Suborder
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Family
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Subfamily
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Genus
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Subgenus
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Species Name
elongatus
