Chiton olivaceus explained

Chiton olivaceus, the green chiton, is a species of chiton, a marine polyplacophoran mollusk in the family Chitonidae, the typical chitons.^{[1] [2]}

Description

Chiton olivaceus can reach a length of 32- and a width of about . These large chitons have carinate plates with strong ribs. The shell is oblong and oval. In the front and rear plates ribs have a radial pattern. The intermediate valves show a sharp beak and rounded sutural plates. Colors are very variable, ranging from olive-gray (hence the common name) to yellow-brown, sometimes black, orange, red or yellow. The girdle surrounding all of the valves is quite large and covered by bristles and scales.^{[3] [4] [5]}

The teeth of these grazers of algae^[6] are composed of magnetite, the hardest material usable by a living being.

Distribution

This species is common in the Mediterranean sea around Italy and Greece, but can also to be found in the nearby Atlantic Ocean.^[7]

Habitat

Chiton olivaceus occur on a solid substrate, particularly stones and rocks, in the zones of sweeping of the waves, at a low depth.^[3]

Notes and References

1. URMO: UNESCO-IOC Register of Marine Organisms. Land J. van der (ed)
2. http://www.marinespecies.org/aphia.php?p=taxdetails&id=139129 WoRMS
3. http://www.mondomarino.net/ricerca/index.asp?p=9&cat=20&view=dett Mondo Marino
4. Web site: Area Marina di Portofino . 2015-09-03 . https://web.archive.org/web/20150924080153/http://www.portofinoamp.it/it/schede-organismi/457-chiton-olivaceus-chitone-oliva.html . 2015-09-24 . dead .
5. http://wildlife-archipelago.gr/wordpress/marine-inverts/green-chiton-chiton-olivaceus/ Wildlife Archipelago
6. Book: D. I.. MacKinnon. Daphne E.. Lee. J. D.. Campbell. https://books.google.com/books?id=Bqpb_rmUzo0C&dq=chiton+olivaceus+grazer&pg=PA261. Brachiopods through Time. Colonization by micromorph brachiopods in the shallow subtidal of the eastern Mediterranean Sea. Asgaard. Ulla. Bromley. Richard G.. 261-264. 90-6191-160-5. A.A. Balkema. 1991. 11 July 2024. Google Books.
7. http://www.sealifebase.org/summary/Chiton-olivaceus.html SeaLifeBase