Chiton magnificus

Chiton magnificus, the liquorice sea cradle, is a Southeast Pacific species of edible chiton, a marine polyplacophoran mollusk in the family Chitonidae, the typical chitons.[1]

Chiton magnificus

Chiton magnificus
Museum specimen of Chiton magnificus from Chile
Scientific classification
Kingdom:
Animalia
Phylum:
Mollusca
Class:
Polyplacophora
Order:
Chitonida
Suborder:
Chitonina
Superfamily:
Chitonoidea
Family:
Chitonidae
Genus:
Chiton
Species:
C. magnificus
Binomial name
Chiton magnificus
(Deshayes, 1844)

Description

Chiton magnificus is a very large chiton, with specimen confirmed at length of up to 17.4 cm (6.9 in). It is shiny and very dark bluish-grey.[2]

Distribution and habitat

The distribution of Chiton magnificus ranges along the Pacific coast of South America from Cape Horn in Chile[3] to San Lorenzo Island in Peru.[2] Although there are old claimed records of this species from the Galápagos Islands, these are now considered incorrect.[2]

This species is found in places with strong current along rocky coasts, including pools.[2] It can be found at depths of 0–31 m (0–102 ft),[4] but in northern Chile it appears to be restricted to subtidal areas.[2]

Human use

Chiton magnificus is edible. Although relatively uncommon, it is one of the few commercially important chitons in its range, others being the even larger, up to 23 cm (9.1 in), spiny Acanthopleura echinata and the smaller, up to 4.5 cm (1.8 in), brownish Chiton granosus.[2][5]

References
  1. WoRMS
  2. 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.
  3. Carolina J. Zagal and Consuelo Hermosilla C. (2007). Guía de Invertebrados marinos del sur de Chile. Editorial Fantástico Sur, Punta Arenas, Chile ISBN 978-956-8007-19-5
  4. SeaLifeBase
  5. 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. doi:10.4067/S0716-078X2012000100010.
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