Hanleya hanleyi

Submitted by Steve Wilkinson on Wed, 09/03/2011 22:37

Distribution and status

Relatively rare species. It occurs from the Arctic Ocean and Barents Seas in the north, around the coasts of Norway, Sweden, Greenland and as far south as the Mediterranean. Present all around the British Isles.

Ecology and behaviour

Occurs mainly on sandy bottoms attached to small shells and pebbles from 15m to 300m depth (though most common below 100m). It feeds by grazing material from the rock surface using its radula.

Key identification features

Very coarse sculpturing of valve surface
Girdle is covered with short spicules and long smooth spines

References and links

Baxter, J.M. and Jones, A.M. 1987. Molluscs: Caudofoveata Solenogastres Polyplacophora and Scaphopoda. London.

Taxon version key

[NBNSYS0000175666]

Sort order

380

Taxonomic group

Chiton

Read more about Hanleya hanleyi

Size: Up to about 22mm long. Shape: Relatively elongate species. It has a narrow girdle with the shell making up 80% of the width.

Hanleya hanleyi

Hanleya hanleyi

Hanleya hanleyi - detail of valve surface

Hanleya henleyi

Hanleya hanleyi