Mediterranean mussel bed surrounded by algae of all sorts. Yzerfontein, Western Cape (2020). Shell smooth, typically black or blue, shading to brown on the lower surface, but rarely light brown. Broad in cross-section and usually widest at base. Distinguished from Choromytilus meridionalis by pits in the resilial ridge. Up to 140 mm. Thought to be… Continue reading Mediterranean mussel (Mytilus galloprovincialis)
Tag: Mollusca
Ribbed mussel (Aulacomya atra)
Lone eroded mussel in a rock crevice. Hondeklipbaai, Northern Cape (2020) - iNaturalist Easily recognised by the strong wavy ridges running the length of the shell. Shell brown in juvenile, but becomes blue-black in larger individuals. Eroded areas are white. Up to 90 mm. Forms extensive beds low in the intertidal and on rocky reefs… Continue reading Ribbed mussel (Aulacomya atra)
Lemon pleurobranch (Berthellina granulata)
Details of the tubes housing the rhinophores. Port Alfred, Eastern Cape (2023) - iNaturalist Also called lemon gumdrop. Body smooth, yellow to orange, often with white spots. Shell fragile and internal. Single gill under the mantle edge on the right side. About 30 mm in length. Commonly found in pairs under boulders intertidally and on… Continue reading Lemon pleurobranch (Berthellina granulata)
Tulip chiton (Rhyssoplax polita)
Close-up of a tulip chiton on a bed of coralline algae. Port Alfred, Eastern Cape (2023) - iNaturalist Previously Chiton tulipa. An attractive chiton with smooth pink valves streaked and flecked with a wide range of brown patches and zigzags. Girdle striped, covered with large, smooth overlapping scales. Typically 30 - 40 mm. A well-known… Continue reading Tulip chiton (Rhyssoplax polita)
Brooding chiton (Radsia nigrovirescens)
Eroding adult chiton with the scale details on the girdle. Jacobsbaai, Western Cape (2020) - iNaturalist Previously Chiton nigrovirescens. Shell valves brownish-black with vague radiating ridges, girdle dark with large smooth scales, sometimes with a coppery sheen. 10 - 25 mm A small species found in groups under stones from the mid-intertidal downwards. Unusual in… Continue reading Brooding chiton (Radsia nigrovirescens)
Spiny chiton (Acanthochitona garnoti)
Unfouled chiton on a rock, spines out. Fishhoek, Western Cape (2020) - iNaturalist Shell valves dull brown with oblique pale stripes, largely buried by the wide girdle. Girdle dotted with small spicules and with a series of nine pairs of characteristic tufts of long glassy spines. 30 - 45 mm. Unusual in that it is… Continue reading Spiny chiton (Acanthochitona garnoti)
Giant chiton (Dinoplax gigas)
Adult chiton, with badly eroded valves, found in a rock crevice. Port Alfred, Eastern Cape (2021) - iNaturalist Also called 'armadillo'. Shell large with steeply arched grey or brown valves, usually badly eroded. Girdle brown and dotted with distinct tufts of small brown hairs. 70 to 100 mm in length. Usually found partially or totally… Continue reading Giant chiton (Dinoplax gigas)
Black chiton (Onithochiton literatus)
Adult chiton leaving a crevice. Port Edward, Kawzulu-Natal (2021) - iNaturalist Shell valves usually brownish-black, sculptured with wavy radiating lines, often badly eroded in larger specimens. Girdle broad, brown to black, velvety with minute embedded spicules. 25 - 50 mm in length. One of the few common chitons in Natal. Found in the open on… Continue reading Black chiton (Onithochiton literatus)
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