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Intertidal
Chitons (MOLLUSCA: POLYPLACOPHORA) from the Coast of Jordan, Red
Sea, with the description of a new species of Parachiton
Thiele, 1909.
|
Yves
Terryn &
Bruno
Anseeuw |
Of
the 23 (+1) recorded species of chitons living in the Red Sea,
13 species are known to have been found in Jordan. During our
two field trips to Jordan (1997-1999) we were able to collect
and determine 12 species. A single specimen belonging to the
genus Parachiton Thiele, 1909 could not be identified as belonging
to any known species, but however showed close resemblance to Leptochiton
(Parachiton) sp. (1 tail valve) mentioned by Hermann L.
Strack (1993), and is hereby described as Parachiton
jordanensis sp. nov. Several specimens of Tonicia
(Lucilina) perligera (Thiele, 1909), which
was known only from few complete specimens and some loose
valves, have been collected. This confirms the reports made by
Mr. H. Strack and adds some additional information about this
very rare species. The unusual finding of 5 abnormal specimens
of Tonicia (Lucilina)
sueziensis (Reeve, 1847) with 7 plates is reported and
illustrated for the first time. Furthermore a single juvenile
specimen of Acanthochitona
cf. mahensis
Winckworth, 1927 was collected. As this species is only known to
occur in the Indian Ocean this record would mean a considerable
range extension of this species and would bring the number of
Red Sea species to 24. Further records though will be needed to
confirm the presence of this species in the Red Sea. This paper
is mainly based on material collected during fieldwork and is a
contribution to a better understanding and determination of the
intertidal chitons of the Red Sea. As most species are already
adequately described in literature, the descriptions in this
paper will be restricted though completed with personal notes
and observations. To conclude, a determination key for the
chitons of the Gulf of Aqaba, based on external features, is
added. |
