Stenosemus albus (Linnaeus, 1767)

Ishnochiton albus

Submitted by admin on Sun, 10/08/2014 21:15

Species

General appearance

Detail of the girdle and valve structure of Ishnochiton albus

Submitted by admin on Sun, 03/08/2014 22:10

Species

Stenosemus albus (Linnaeus, 1767)

Photographer / copyright holder

Steve Wilkinson

Detail of the girdle and valve structure of Ishnochiton albus

Ishnochiton albus

Submitted by admin on Sun, 03/08/2014 22:09

Species

Stenosemus albus (Linnaeus, 1767)

Photographer / copyright holder

Steve Wilkinson

Ishnochiton albus

Submitted by Steve Wilkinson on Sun, 04/07/2010 22:47

Distribution and status

Uncommon but found around most of the British Isles. Generally distributed through-out the Boreal and Artic Seas occurring off the coasts of Greenland, Scandinavia, North America and Britain and extending to the White, Barents and Baltic Seas.

Ecology and behaviour

Found from low water to depths exceeding 500m but most common down to 100m. It is found on rocks/shells. It feeds by grazing material from the rock surface using its radula

Key identification features

Girdle displays very obvious large oval granules (more granular than the valve surface)
White or cream valves

References and links

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

Taxon version key

[NBNSYS0000175897]

Sort order

400

Taxonomic group

Chiton

Read more about Stenosemus albus (Linnaeus, 1767)

Size: Up to about 14mm long. Shape: Slightly elongated chiton with a relatively narrow girdle - the shell making up 80% of the width.