Leptochiton scabridus
Species
General appearance
Leptochiton scabridus
<em>Leptochiton scabridus</em> (Jeffreys, 1880)
Leptochiton scabridus showing bright red foot
Species
Photographer / copyright holder
Steve Wilkinson
Leptochiton scabridus showing bright red foot
Close up of the girdle and valve sculpture of Leptochiton scabridus
Species
Photographer / copyright holder
Marc Cochu (http://nature22.com/)
Close up of the girdle and valve sculpture of Leptochiton scabridus
Leptochiton scabridus taken Côtes d'Armor
Species
Photographer / copyright holder
Marc Cochu (http://nature22.com/)
Leptochiton scabridus taken Côtes d'Armor
Leptochiton scabridus
Distribution and status
It is a rare species with a relatively restricted distribution being confined to south west Britain, the west of Ireland and south to the Channel Islands and Brittany coast.
Ecology and behaviour
Lives on the underside of rocks embedded in sand. It feeds by grazing material from the rock surface using its radula. It occurs very low on the shore down into the subtidal.
Key identification features
- Bright red foot (when alive)
- Coarse sculpture on valves gives them a rough appearance
References and links
- Baxter, J.M. and Jones, A.M. 1987. Molluscs: Caudofoveata Solenogastres Polyplacophora and Scaphopoda. London.
- Light, J.M. and Baxter, J.M. 1990. Lepidochiton scabridus (Jeffreys, 1880) - a live record from County Donegal, Ireland. Journal of Conchology 33(5) 318.
- Light, J.M. and Lilleen, I.J. 1992. Further notes on Lepidochiton scabridus (Jeffreys). Journal of Conchology 34(2) 117.
Taxon version key
[NBNSYS0000183422]
Sort order
350
Taxonomic group
Chiton
Size: Up to about 8mm long. Shape: Relatively narrow girdle with the shell making up 80-90% of the width.