Ischnochiton sp. Click to enlarge image
Chiton, Ischnochiton sp. Image: Dr Isobel Bennett
© Australian Museum

Fast Facts

  • Classification
    Genus
    Ischnochiton
    Species
    australis
    Family
    Ischnochitonidae
    Super Family
    Chitonoidea
    Suborder
    Chitonina
    Order
    Chitonida
    Subclass
    Neoloricata
    Class
    Polyplacophora
    Phylum
    Mollusca
    Kingdom
    Animalia
  • Size Range
    9 cm

Not only is this the largest chiton found in Sydney, it is also the most common. If you turn a rock over on any rock platform in Sydney, you should find a few. This species congregates in large groups on rocks close to the low-tide mark.

Identification

The shell of this chiton is green-brown and generally not covered in algae, as is the case with some other chiton species in Sydney.

Habitat

Chitons are found on intertidal rocky shores.

Distribution

This chiton species is found in southern Australia.


Distribution data sourced from the Atlas of Living Australia