Onithochiton literatus | |
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Scientific classification
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Domain: | Eukaryota |
Kingdom: | Animalia |
Phylum: | Mollusca |
Class: | Polyplacophora |
Order: | Chitonida |
Family: | Chitonidae |
Genus: | Onithochiton |
Species: | O. literatus
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Binomial name | |
Onithochiton literatus (Krauss, 1848)
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Synonyms | |
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Onithochiton literatus, the black chiton, is a medium to large-sized polyplacophoran mollusc in the family Chitonidae, [1] found on the east coast of Africa.
The species is usually brownish black, with valves incised with radiating wavy lines; these may be heavily eroded in older specimens. The broad and velvety girdle is brown to black and bears tiny embedded spicules. Adult size is 20–50 mm. [2]
Onithochiton literatus occurs along the east coast of Africa, from the Cape of Good Hope to at least as far north as Somalia and possibly into the Red Sea. [1] It is quite common and can be found along the margins of inter-tidal rock pools or more exposed on wave-washed rocks. [2]
In KwaZulu-Natal, the species is a common component of traditional medicines, and may also be collected as a food item in rural areas. [3]