|
|
ACANTHOCHITONIDAE |
|
|
|
Notoplax costata (H. Adams & Angas, 1864) Description: Girdle broad, valves relatively small, separated. Median valves with jugal area nearly rectangular, smooth; lateral and pleural areas separated by nodulose diagonal ridge (Fig. 2), both areas sculptured with flat-topped, circular or elongate pustules. Girdle covered with short spicules; sutural tufts long or short (missing in Fig. 1). Valves fawn with splashes of pink, sometimes brown; girdle fawn. Size: Dried specimens up to 27 mm in length. Distribution: Endemic to Australia: Solitary Islands, NSW, southwards to south-western WA, including Tas. Also Lord Howe Island. Habitat: Lives in association with sponges on rocky reefs, in the low intertidal zone and below. Moderately common. Comparison: This species is distinguished from other species of Notoplax in NSW by the nodulose line separating the lateral and pleural areas of the valves. Fig. 1: Neds Beach, Lord Howe, Island. Sutural tufts lost. (C.158386). Fig. 2: Same specimen as Fig. 1. Valve detail and girdle with spicules. |
|
