Extremely Rare Finding of a Chiton (Mollusca, Polyplacophora) in a Rocky Intertidal Habitat in Nova Scotia (Canada)

Chitons are a group of mollusks (polyplacophores) that differ from the mollusks that are most often found on marine rocky shores (bivalves and gastropods). On the Atlantic coast of North America, chitons have been reported in subtidal habitats from Newfoundland (Canada) to New England (USA). Here, w...

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Main Authors: Julius A. Ellrich, Ricardo A. Scrosati
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2024-10-01
Series:Diversity
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/1424-2818/16/11/667
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author Julius A. Ellrich
Ricardo A. Scrosati
author_facet Julius A. Ellrich
Ricardo A. Scrosati
author_sort Julius A. Ellrich
collection DOAJ
description Chitons are a group of mollusks (polyplacophores) that differ from the mollusks that are most often found on marine rocky shores (bivalves and gastropods). On the Atlantic coast of North America, chitons have been reported in subtidal habitats from Newfoundland (Canada) to New England (USA). Here, we report the finding of <i>Boreochiton ruber</i> at the mid-to-high intertidal zone in a wave-exposed habitat in Nova Scotia (Canada). After surveying various coastal locations across Nova Scotia for 20 years (2004 to 2024), this was the only intertidal chiton we ever found in such habitats, making this an extremely rare occurrence. Rare species may contribute in unique ways to community functioning, making their reports valuable for biodiversity and ecosystem research.
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series Diversity
spelling doaj-art-bfc8e123156f4b4ebe82f8ab2f282f302024-11-26T18:00:21ZengMDPI AGDiversity1424-28182024-10-01161166710.3390/d16110667Extremely Rare Finding of a Chiton (Mollusca, Polyplacophora) in a Rocky Intertidal Habitat in Nova Scotia (Canada)Julius A. Ellrich0Ricardo A. Scrosati1Shelf Sea System Ecology, Biologische Anstalt Helgoland, Alfred Wegener Institute Helmholtz Centre for Polar and Marine Research, 27498 Helgoland, GermanyDepartment of Biology, St. Francis Xavier University, Antigonish, NS B2G 2W5, CanadaChitons are a group of mollusks (polyplacophores) that differ from the mollusks that are most often found on marine rocky shores (bivalves and gastropods). On the Atlantic coast of North America, chitons have been reported in subtidal habitats from Newfoundland (Canada) to New England (USA). Here, we report the finding of <i>Boreochiton ruber</i> at the mid-to-high intertidal zone in a wave-exposed habitat in Nova Scotia (Canada). After surveying various coastal locations across Nova Scotia for 20 years (2004 to 2024), this was the only intertidal chiton we ever found in such habitats, making this an extremely rare occurrence. Rare species may contribute in unique ways to community functioning, making their reports valuable for biodiversity and ecosystem research.https://www.mdpi.com/1424-2818/16/11/667<i>Boreochiton ruber</i>marine diversitymolluskrare species
spellingShingle Julius A. Ellrich
Ricardo A. Scrosati
Extremely Rare Finding of a Chiton (Mollusca, Polyplacophora) in a Rocky Intertidal Habitat in Nova Scotia (Canada)
Diversity
<i>Boreochiton ruber</i>
marine diversity
mollusk
rare species
title Extremely Rare Finding of a Chiton (Mollusca, Polyplacophora) in a Rocky Intertidal Habitat in Nova Scotia (Canada)
title_full Extremely Rare Finding of a Chiton (Mollusca, Polyplacophora) in a Rocky Intertidal Habitat in Nova Scotia (Canada)
title_fullStr Extremely Rare Finding of a Chiton (Mollusca, Polyplacophora) in a Rocky Intertidal Habitat in Nova Scotia (Canada)
title_full_unstemmed Extremely Rare Finding of a Chiton (Mollusca, Polyplacophora) in a Rocky Intertidal Habitat in Nova Scotia (Canada)
title_short Extremely Rare Finding of a Chiton (Mollusca, Polyplacophora) in a Rocky Intertidal Habitat in Nova Scotia (Canada)
title_sort extremely rare finding of a chiton mollusca polyplacophora in a rocky intertidal habitat in nova scotia canada
topic <i>Boreochiton ruber</i>
marine diversity
mollusk
rare species
url https://www.mdpi.com/1424-2818/16/11/667
work_keys_str_mv AT juliusaellrich extremelyrarefindingofachitonmolluscapolyplacophorainarockyintertidalhabitatinnovascotiacanada
AT ricardoascrosati extremelyrarefindingofachitonmolluscapolyplacophorainarockyintertidalhabitatinnovascotiacanada