Family SCHIZOCHITONIDAE
Introduction
The Schizochitonidae is a small family of mainly carnivorous chitons, found in the Indo-Pacific Oceans and the Red Sea. Four of the seven currently recognised extant species in this family are found in Australian waters, representing all three extant genera.
The family is characterised by insertion plates with slits on all valves, posterior valve with caudal sinus, presence of extrapigmentary aesthetes, and girdle with scales and/or spines, and usually with slit or gap at posterior valve caudal sinus.
General References
Cotton, B.C. 1964. South Australian Mollusca. Chitons. Adelaide : S.A. Govt. Printer 150 pp.
History of changes
| Published | As part of group | Action Date | Action Type | Compiler(s) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 12-Feb-2010 | (import) |
- Lorica Adams, H. & Adams, A. 1852. On a new genus of Chitonidae. Annals and Magazine of Natural History 2 52: 355 [Date published Apr. 1852] [355].
Type species:
Chiton cimolius Reeve, 1847 by monotypy. - Aulacochiton Shuttleworth, R.J. 1853. Über den Bau der Chitoniden, mit Aufzählung der die Antillen und die Canarischen Inseln bewohnenden Arten. Mittheilungen der Naturforschenden Gesellschaft in Bern 1853(286-291): 169-207 [Date published June 1853] [192] [introduced as a section of the genus Chiton Linnaeus, 1758].
Type species:
Chiton volvox Reeve, 1847 by subsequent designation, see Pilsbry, H.A. 1893. Monograph of the Polyplacophora. In Tryon, G.W. Manual of Conchology. Academy of Sciences : Philadelphia Series. Vol. 14. i-xxxiv 129-350 pls 31-68 [236]. - Protolorica Ashby, E. 1925. Monograph on Australian fossil Polyplacophora (Chitons). Proceedings of the Royal Society of Victoria 37: 170-205 pls 18-22 [Date published Nov. 1925] [193].
Type species:
Protolorica atkinsoni Ashby, 1925 by original designation. - Zelorica Finlay, H.J. 1926. A further commentary on New Zealand molluscan systematics. Transactions of the New Zealand Institute 57: 320-485 pls 18-23 [Issued separately 23 Dec 1926; but Vol. 57 issued 10 March, 1927] [334].
Type species:
Lorica haurakiensis Mestayer, 1921 by original designation.
Taxonomic Decision for Synonymy
- Van Belle, R.A. 1983. The systematic classification of the chitons (Mollusca: Polyplacophora). Informations de la Société Belge de Malacologie 11: 1-178 [117]
Distribution
States
New South Wales, South Australia, Tasmania, Victoria, Western Australia
Extra Distribution Information
New Zealand.
IMCRA
Central Western Shelf Province (29), Southwest Shelf Transition (30), Southwest Shelf Province (31), Great Australian Bight Shelf Transition (32), Spencer Gulf Shelf Province (33), Western Bass Strait Shelf Transition (34), Bass Strait Shelf Province (35), Tasmanian Shelf Province (36), Southeast Shelf Transition (37), Central Eastern Shelf Province (38)
Original AFD Distribution Data
Australian Region
- Australia
- 200 m bathymetric: Bass Strait, G. Aust. Bight, Lower E coast, Lower W coast, S Gulfs coast, SW coast, Tas. Coast
Distribution References
History of changes
| Published | As part of group | Action Date | Action Type | Compiler(s) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 12-Feb-2010 | (import) |
Species Lorica volvox (Reeve, 1847)
- Chiton volvox Reeve, L.A. 1847. Monograph of the genus Chiton. In, Conchologica Iconica. London : L. Reeve & Co. Vol. 4 pls 1–27. [Feb., Mar., Apr., May 1847] [pl. 6, sp. & fig. 31].
Type data:
Status unknown, whereabouts unknown, Sydney, NSW (as Sydney, New Holland). - Chiton cimolius Reeve, L.A. 1847. Monograph of the genus Chiton. In, Conchologica Iconica. London : L. Reeve & Co. Vol. 4 pls 1–27. [Feb., Mar., Apr., May 1847] [pl. 21, sp. & fig. 141].
Type data:
Status unknown, whereabouts unknown, Australia. - Chiton rudis Hutton, F.W. 1872. On the New Zealand Chitonidae. Transactions of the New Zealand Institute 4: 173-183 [179].
Type data:
Holotype MONZ M.1049, NSW.Type locality references:
Kaas, P. & Van Belle, R.A. 1998. Catalogue of Living Chitons (Mollusca: Polyplacophora). Leiden : Backhuys 204 pp. [113]. - Lorica paucipustulosa Hull, A.F.B. 1923. New Australian Loricata and notes on the distribution of certain species. 1. The Australian Zoologist 3: 195-201 pls 27-28 [Date published 18 Dec. 1923] [197].
Type data:
Holotype WAM 11659, Rabbit (= Mistaken) Is., King George Sound, WA.
Paratype(s) NMV F16088 1 specimen, Rabbit (=Mistaken) Is., King George Sound, WA. - Lorica elliottae Cotton, B.C. & Weeding, B.J. 1939. Flindersian loricates. Transactions of the Royal Society of South Australia 63: 180-199 pl. 7 [Date published 22 Dec. 1939] [189].
Type data:
Holotype SAMA D11658, Rottnest Is., WA.
Taxonomic Decision for Synonymy
Distribution
States
New South Wales, South Australia, Tasmania, Victoria, Western Australia
Extra Distribution Information
Australian Endemic.
IMCRA
Central Western Shelf Province (29), Southwest Shelf Transition (30), Southwest Shelf Province (31), Great Australian Bight Shelf Transition (32), Spencer Gulf Shelf Province (33), Western Bass Strait Shelf Transition (34), Bass Strait Shelf Province (35), Tasmanian Shelf Province (36), Southeast Shelf Transition (37), Central Eastern Shelf Province (38)
Original AFD Distribution Data
Australian Region
- Australia
- 200 m bathymetric: Bass Strait, G. Aust. Bight, Lower E coast, Lower W coast, S Gulfs coast, SW coast, Tas. Coast
Ecological Descriptors
Rock reef, sublittoral.
Extra Ecological Information
Under rocks in areas of good water movement.
History of changes
| Published | As part of group | Action Date | Action Type | Compiler(s) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 13-Oct-2015 | POLYPLACOPHORA | 01-Oct-2015 | MODIFIED | Ms Anouk Mututantri (AM) |
| 12-Feb-2010 | (import) |
Genus Loricella Pilsbry, 1893
- Loricella Pilsbry, H.A. 1893. Monograph of the Polyplacophora. In Tryon, G.W. Manual of Conchology. Academy of Sciences : Philadelphia Series. Vol. 14. i-xxxiv 129-350 pls 31-68 [234] [introduced as a section of the genus Lorica H. & A. Adams, 1852].
Type species:
Lorica angasi H. Adams, 1864 by monotypy. - Squamophora Nierstrasz, H.F. 1905. Die Chitonen der Siboga-Expedition. Siboga-Expéditie Report 48: 1-112 pls 1-8 [Date published Jan. 1905] [50].
Type species:
Squamophora oviformis Nierstrasz, 1905 by monotypy. - Pseudoloricella Ashby, E. 1925. Monograph on Australian fossil Polyplacophora (Chitons). Proceedings of the Royal Society of Victoria 37: 170-205 pls 18-22 [Date published Nov. 1925] [198] [introduced as a subgenus of Loricella Pilsbry, 1893].
Type species:
Loricella sculpta Ashby, 1921 by original designation. - Componochiton Milne, K.L. 1963. A new deep-water chiton (Polyplacophora: Chitonidae) from eastern Australia. Journal of the Malacological Society of Australia 1: 25-27 [Date published 6 Dec. 1963] [25].
Type species:
Componochiton raceki Milne, 1963 by original designation.
Taxonomic Decision for Synonymy
- Van Belle, R.A. 1983. The systematic classification of the chitons (Mollusca: Polyplacophora). Informations de la Société Belge de Malacologie 11: 1-178 [119]
- Kaas, P. 1985. Notes on Loricata (Mollusca) 11–14. Zoologische Mededelingen (Leiden) 59: 299-320 [299]
Distribution
States
New South Wales, South Australia, Tasmania, Victoria
Extra Distribution Information
West-Pacific Ocean.
IMCRA
Tasmania Province (10), Southeast Transition (11), Central Eastern Province (12), Tasman Basin Province (13), Great Australian Bight Shelf Transition (32), Spencer Gulf Shelf Province (33), Western Bass Strait Shelf Transition (34), Bass Strait Shelf Province (35), Tasmanian Shelf Province (36), Southeast Shelf Transition (37), Central Eastern Shelf Province (38)
Original AFD Distribution Data
Australian Region
- Australia
- 200 m bathymetric: Bass Strait, G. Aust. Bight, Lower E coast, S Gulfs coast, Tas. Coast
- 200 mile fishing zone: SE oceanic
Distribution References
History of changes
| Published | As part of group | Action Date | Action Type | Compiler(s) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 12-Feb-2010 | (import) |
- Lorica angasi Adams, H. in Adams, H. & Angas, G.F. 1864. Descriptions of new genera and species of Chitonidae from the Australian seas, in the collection of George French Angas. Proceedings of the Zoological Society of London 1864: 192-194 [193].
Type data:
Holotype BMNH 1870.10.26.164, Rapid Bay, SA. - Loricella torri Ashby, E. 1919. A review of the genus Loricella (Order Polyplacophora), with notes on features previously unnoted and description of a new species. Transactions of the Royal Society of South Australia 43: 59-65 pl. 10 [62].
Type data:
Holotype SAMA D12440, Quarantine Station, Sydney, NSW.
Taxonomic Decision for Synonymy
Distribution
States
New South Wales, South Australia, Tasmania, Victoria
Extra Distribution Information
Australian Endemic.
IMCRA
Great Australian Bight Shelf Transition (32), Spencer Gulf Shelf Province (33), Western Bass Strait Shelf Transition (34), Bass Strait Shelf Province (35), Tasmanian Shelf Province (36), Southeast Shelf Transition (37), Central Eastern Shelf Province (38)
Original AFD Distribution Data
Australian Region
- Australia
- 200 m bathymetric: Bass Strait, G. Aust. Bight, Lower E coast, S Gulfs coast, Tas. Coast
Ecological Descriptors
Benthic, carnivorous, sublittoral.
Extra Ecological Information
On and under rocks, on rocks under sand, feeds mainly on small crustaceans, particularly amphipods.
History of changes
| Published | As part of group | Action Date | Action Type | Compiler(s) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 13-Oct-2015 | POLYPLACOPHORA | 30-Sep-2015 | MODIFIED | Ms Anouk Mututantri (AM) |
| 12-Feb-2010 | (import) |
- Paricoplax profundior Dell, R.K. 1956. The archibenthal Mollusca of New Zealand. Dominion Museum Bulletin 18: 1-235, pls 1-25 [157].
Type data:
Holotype MONZ M.9727, off the Forty Fours, Chatham Ils, New Zealand.
Paratype(s) MONZ; CMNZ. - Componochiton raceki Milne, K.L. 1963. A new deep-water chiton (Polyplacophora: Chitonidae) from eastern Australia. Journal of the Malacological Society of Australia 1: 25-27 [Date published 6 Dec. 1963] [25].
Type data:
Holotype AM C63297, off Newcastle, NSW.
Paratype(s) NMV F23568 1 specimen, off Port Stephens, NSW.
Taxonomic Decision for Synonymy
Distribution
States
New South Wales
Extra Distribution Information
NSW, central south-west Pacific Ocean.
IMCRA
Tasmania Province (10), Southeast Transition (11), Central Eastern Province (12), Tasman Basin Province (13), Southeast Shelf Transition (37), Central Eastern Shelf Province (38)
Original AFD Distribution Data
Australian Region
- Australia
- 200 m bathymetric: Lower E coast
- 200 mile fishing zone: SE oceanic
Ecological Descriptors
Benthic, carnivorous, sublittoral.
History of changes
| Published | As part of group | Action Date | Action Type | Compiler(s) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 12-Feb-2010 | (import) |
Genus Schizochiton Gray, 1847
- Schizochiton Gray, J.E. 1847. On the genera of the family Chitonidae. Proceedings of the Zoological Society of London 15: 63-70 [65].
Type species:
Chiton incisus Sowerby, 1841 by monotypy.
Distribution
States
Queensland
Extra Distribution Information
West-Pacific Ocean, Red Sea.
IMCRA
Central Eastern Shelf Transition (39), Northeast Shelf Province (40), Northeast Shelf Transition (41)
Original AFD Distribution Data
Australian Region
- Australia
- 200 m bathymetric: Great Barrier Reef, NE coast
Distribution References
General References
Van Belle, R.A. 1983. The systematic classification of the chitons (Mollusca: Polyplacophora). Informations de la Société Belge de Malacologie 11: 1-178 [117]
History of changes
| Published | As part of group | Action Date | Action Type | Compiler(s) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 12-Feb-2010 | (import) |
- Chiton incisus Sowerby, G.B. 1841. Descriptions of several new species of chitones, brought by H. Cuming, Esq., from the Philippine Islands. Proceedings of the Zoological Society of London 1841: 61-62 [61].
Type data:
Syntype(s) BMNH 19802 4 specimens, Daleguete, Zebu Is., Philippines. - Chiton elongatus Reeve, L.A. 1847. Monograph of the genus Chiton. In, Conchologica Iconica. London : L. Reeve & Co. Vol. 4 pls 1–27. [Feb., Mar., Apr., May 1847] [pl. 8, sp. & fig. 40] [junior homonym of Chiton elongatus Blainville, 1825].
Type data:
Syntype(s) BMNH 198011 4 specimens, Raines Is., Torres Strait, QLD. - Schizochiton polyophtalmus Rochebrune, A.T. de 1882. Diagnoses d'espèces nouvelles de la famille des Chitonidae (Premier supplément). Bulletin de la Société Philomathique de Paris 7 6: 190-197 [191].
Type data:
Holotype MNHP, Philippines. - Schizochiton polyops Iredale, T. & Hull, A.F.B. 1926. A monograph of the Australian loricates (Phylum Mollusca – Order Loricata). VII. The Australian Zoologist 4: 256-276 pls 37-39 [Date published 30 Apr. 1926] [271] [nom. nov. for Chiton elongatus Reeve, 1847].
Type data:
Syntype(s) SAMA D18767 2 specimens, Howick Is., QLD.
Taxonomic Decision for Synonymy
Distribution
States
Queensland
Extra Distribution Information
QLD, central west Pacific Ocean.
IMCRA
Central Eastern Shelf Transition (39), Northeast Shelf Province (40), Northeast Shelf Transition (41)
Original AFD Distribution Data
Australian Region
- Australia
- 200 m bathymetric: Great Barrier Reef, NE coast
Ecological Descriptors
Sublittoral.
Extra Ecological Information
Under dead coral slabs.
History of changes
| Published | As part of group | Action Date | Action Type | Compiler(s) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 12-Feb-2010 | (import) |