Family LEPTOCHITONIDAE Dall, 1889

Museums

Regional Maps

• LEPTOCHITONIDAE Dall, 1889.
• LEPIDOPLEURIDAE Pilsbry, 1892.

Taxonomic Decision for Synonymy

• Jones, A.M. & Baxter, J.M. 1987. Molluscs: Caudofoveata, Solenogastres, Polyplacophora and Scaphopoda: keys and notes for the identification of species. Synopses of the British fauna. New series: no. 37 London : E.J. Brill, Dr. W. Backhuys for the Linnean Society of London pp.154.

Introduction

The Leptochitonidae is a family of small chitons, found worldwide from tropical to polar regions, and from intertidal pools to abyssal depths. Representatives of this family are usually found on, or under, stones in sediments.

The family is characterised by lack of insertion plates, granulose and usually uncoloured tegmentum, and presence of merobranchial gills. Girdle with variously shaped scales, spines and spicules.

General References

Gowlett-Holmes, K.L. 1990. On the taxonomic status of the Australian chiton Parachiton verconis Cotton & Weeding, 1939 (Mollusca: Polyplacophora: Leptochitonidae). Transactions of the Royal Society of South Australia 114: 95-97

Kaas, P. & Van Belle, R.A. 1985. Monograph of Living Chitons (Mollusca: Polyplacophora). Order Neoloricata: Lepidopleurina. Leiden : E.J. Brill/Dr W. Backhuys Vol. 1 240 pp.

Schwabe, E. & Gofas, S. 2009. Leptochitonidae Dall, 1889. In: MolluscaBase (2015). World Register of Marine Species. http://www.marinespecies.org/aphia.php?p=taxdetails&id=59 (Accessed on 2015-08-17)

History of changes