The Conchological Society of Great Britain and Ireland | Helping to understand, identify, record, and conserve molluscs

Leptochiton gascognensis

Taxon version key

[NBNSYS0000183419]

Sort order

320

Taxonomic group

Chiton

Read more about Leptochiton gascognensis

Leptochiton cancellatus

Distribution and status

Occurs on Atlantic coasts from the southern parts of Norway down to the Mediterranean. It is found through-out the British Isles though is not common.

Ecology and behaviour

Lives on the underside of stones and pebbles embedded in silty sand. It feeds by grazing material from the rock surface using its radula. It occurs very low on the shore down to depths of 900m.

Key identification features

Tall rounded arch shaped intermediate valves
Valve sculpture of chain like rows

References and links

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

Taxon version key

[NBNSYS0000176075]

Sort order

310

Taxonomic group

Chiton

Read more about Leptochiton cancellatus

Size: Up to about 9mm long. Shape: Relatively narrow girdle with the shell making up 80-90% of the width.

Leptochiton asellus

Distribution and status

Most common species of subtidal chiton around the British Isles. Occurs from Spitsbergen and the Barents Sea, Iceland and south to the Bay of Biscay and north Spain.

Ecology and behaviour

Lives on the underside of stones, pebbles and shells embedded in silty sediment. It feeds by grazing material from the rock surface using its radula. It occurs very low on the shore down to depths of 250m.

Key identification features