''Ischnochiton textilis'', the textile chiton, is a medium-sized

polyplacophoran Chitons () are marine (ocean), marine molluscs of varying size in the class (biology), class Polyplacophora (), formerly known as Amphineura. About 940 Extant taxon, extant and 430 fossil species are recognized. They are also sometimes known ...

mollusc Mollusca is the second-largest phylum of invertebrate animals after the Arthropoda, the members of which are known as molluscs or mollusks (). Around 85,000 extant species of molluscs are recognized. The number of fossil species is esti ...

in the

family Family (from la, familia) is a Social group, group of people related either by consanguinity (by recognized birth) or Affinity (law), affinity (by marriage or other relationship). The purpose of the family is to maintain the well-being of its ...

Ischnochitonidae Ischnochitonidae is a family of polyplacophoran mollusc belonging to the superfamily Chitonoidea. MolluscaBase eds. (2022). MolluscaBase. Ischnochitonidae Dall, 1889. Accessed through: World Register of Marine Species at: https://www.marinespec ...

, endemic to the coasts of South Africa and Namibia.

Description

The shell is pale yellow to grey. Lateral areas and end

valve A valve is a device or natural object that regulates, directs or controls the flow of a fluid (gases, liquids, fluidized solids, or slurries) by opening, closing, or partially obstructing various passageways. Valves are technically fittings ...

s bear fine radiating ridges, while the central plates are subtly pitted. The girdle is covered in small oval scales, each crossed by 12-24 fine ridges visible only under the microscope. The species is 20–40 mm in size.

Distribution and habitat

''Ischnochiton textilis'' occurs along the coastline of Southern Africa. Along the coast of the

Cape of Good Hope The Cape of Good Hope ( af, Kaap die Goeie Hoop ) ;''Kaap'' in isolation: pt, Cabo da Boa Esperança is a rocky headland on the Atlantic coast of the Cape Peninsula in South Africa. A common misconception is that the Cape of Good Hope is t ...

, groups are common on the underside of boulders in rock pools, from where it may detach and roll up into a ball if disturbed.

References

Ischnochitonidae Chitons described in 1847 Taxa named by John Edward Gray Molluscs of Africa {{chiton-stub