Boreochiton ruber (Linnaeus, 1767)
Boreochiton ruber (Linnaeus, 1767)
synonyms
Tonicella rubra
Boreochiton ruber
Photographer / copyright holder
Peter Topley
Boreochiton ruber collected Isle of Skye 2013.
Boreochiton ruber (Linnaeus, 1767)
Distribution and status
It occurs from the Barents and White Seas in the north, around the coasts of Norway, Sweden, Greenland and as far south as the Azores. It is found on all shores around Britain and Ireland.
The map provided here shows the distribution of the species based on Conchological Society data.
Ecology and behaviour
Occurs from low water to depths of 300m but never in high densities. It feeds by grazing material from the rock surface using its radula. Rocky bottoms but also pebbles on sand.
Key identification features
- Valve surface appears smooth under hand lens
- Girdle is covered with tightly packed oval granules
References and links
- Ávila, S , Sigwart, J 2013. New records for the shallow-water chiton fauna (Mollusca, Polyplacophora) of the Azores (NE Atlantic). Zookeys. 2013; (312): 23–38.
- Baxter, J.M. and Jones, A.M. 1987. Molluscs: Caudofoveata Solenogastres Polyplacophora and Scaphopoda. London.
Taxon version key
[NBNSYS0000178410]
Sort order
450
Taxonomic group
Chiton
Size: Up to about 21mm long. Shape: Relatively narrow girdle with the shell making up 75% of the width. Valves are rounded with a moderate keel.