Chiton olivaceus

Chiton olivaceus
Dorsal view of Chiton olivaceus from Sicily. Museum specimen
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Mollusca
Class:	Polyplacophora
Order:	Chitonida
Family:	Chitonidae
Genus:	Chiton
Species:	C. olivaceus
Binomial name
Chiton olivaceus Spengler, 1797
Synonyms
Chiton (Rhyssoplax) olivaceus Spengler, 1797 Chiton estuarii Brusina, 1870 Chiton polii Deshayes, 1835 Chiton rubellus Nardo, 1847 Chiton siculus Gray J.E., 1828 Chiton squammulosus Dollfus, 1883 Chiton striatus Brusina, 1870 Lepidopleurus sulcatus Risso, 1826

Chiton olivaceus, the green chiton, is a species of chiton, a marine polyplacophoran mollusk in the family Chitonidae, the typical chitons.

Description

Chiton olivaceus can reach a length of 32–40 millimetres (1.3–1.6 in) and a width of about 16 millimetres (0.63 in). These large chitons have carinate plates with strongs ribs. The shell is oblong and oval. In the front and rear plates ribs have a radial pattern. The intermediate valves show a sharp beak and rounded sutural plates. Colors are very variable, ranging from olive-gray (hence the common name) to yellow-brown, sometimes black, orange, red or yellow. The girdle surrounding all of the valves is quite large and covered by bristles and scales.

The teeth of these grazers of algae are composed of magnetite, the hardest material usable by a living being.

Distribution

This species is common in the Mediterranean sea ( Italy and Greece), but can also to be found in the nearby Atlantic Ocean.

Habitat

Chiton olivaceus occur on a solid substrate, particularly stones and rocks, in the zones of sweeping of the waves, at a low depth.