Enoplochiton niger is a Southeast Pacific species of chiton, a marine polyplacophoran mollusc in the family Chitonidae, the typical chitons.[1] It is the only species in the genus Enoplochiton.[2]
Enoplochiton niger | |
---|---|
![]() | |
Enoplochiton niger from Isla Playa Ramada, Chile | |
Scientific classification ![]() | |
Domain: | Eukaryota |
Kingdom: | Animalia |
Phylum: | Mollusca |
Class: | Polyplacophora |
Order: | Chitonida |
Family: | Chitonidae |
Subfamily: | Acanthopleurinae |
Genus: | Enoplochiton Gray, 1847 |
Species: | E. niger
|
Binomial name | |
Enoplochiton niger (Barnes, 1824)
|
Description
editWith a length of up to 20 cm (7.9 in), Enoplochiton niger is a very large chiton. It is brown in color. Unlike the similar-sized Enoplochiton echinatus of the same region, Enoplochiton niger lacks large spines.[3]
Distribution, habitat and behavior
editThe distribution of Enoplochiton niger ranges along the Pacific coast of South America from Coquimbo in Chile to Talara in Peru.[3] It inhabits the intertidal zone,[3] and it is omnivorous.[4]
References
edit- ^ Enoplochiton niger. WoRMS
- ^ Enoplochiton. WoRMS
- ^ a b c Araya, J.F.; M.E. Araya (2015). "The shallow-water chitons (Mollusca, Polyplacophora) of Caldera, Region of Atacama, northern Chile". Zoosyst. Evol. 91 (1): 45–58. doi:10.3897/zse.91.8536.
- ^ Camus, P.A.; A.H. Navarrete; A.G. Sanhueza; L.F. Opaza (2012). "Trophic ecology of the chiton Acanthopleura echinata on Chilean rocky shores". Revista chilena de historia natural. 85 (1): 123–135. Bibcode:2012RvCHN..85..123C. doi:10.4067/S0716-078X2012000100010.