Chitons of the genus Lepidochitona (Mollusca: Polyplacophora) in the Indian Ocean and ordering of species compositions of some genera of the subfamily Tonicellinae

The species composition of the genus Lepidochitona in the Indian Ocean and Southeast Atlantic is reviewed. To the so far known three species of this region, two new species are added. One of them, L. africana n. sp. , inhabits the area from False Bay on the southern coast of South Africa to Mpenjati, KwaZulu-Natal. The second species, L. pakistana n. sp., is restricted to the shallow waters of Pakistan. In addition, the previously considered rare species L. turtoni is revisited. Lastly, the controversial issues of the taxonomy and composition of the genera Lepidochitona and Cyanoplax , are discussed.

Automated summary

The species composition of the genus Lepidochitona in the Indian Ocean and Southeast Atlantic was reviewed, revealing two new species. L. africana n. sp. was found in the area from False Bay to Mpenjati, KwaZulu-Natal on the southern coast of South Africa, while L. pakistana n. sp. is restricted to shallow waters of Pakistan. Additionally, the previously considered rare species L. turtoni was revisited. The taxonomy and composition controversy of the genera Lepidochitona and Cyanoplax were also discussed.