Valve and girdle morphology of the deep-water chiton Xylochiton xylophagus Gowlett-Holmes & Jones, 1992 (Polyplacophora: Xylochitonidae)

Abstract

The morphology of the valves and girdle of the newly described, wood-feeding deep-water chiton Xylochiton xylophagus is examined using light and scanning electron microscopy. The aesthete groups are unusual in character and the subsidiary caps in particular are unique in being erect. The nature of the girdle spiculation is described in detail, and sparse, hair-like and probably sensory structures were observed; the ventral surface of the girdle is devoid of spicules, a feature found only in one other group of chitons, the Abyssochitonidae.