Leptochiton deforgesi Sirenko, 2001

Sigwart, Julia D. & Sirenko, Boris I., 2012, Deep-sea chitons from sunken wood in the West Pacific (Mollusca: Polyplacophora: Lepidopleurida): taxonomy, distribution, and seven new species, Zootaxa 3195, pp. 1-38 : 11

Leptochiton deforgesi Sirenko, 2001

Leptochiton deforgesi Sirenko 2001: 51 –53, figs 8–96, 178–179; 2004: 114, table 1; Sigwart et al. 2011: 567, table 3, fig. 2; Yearsley & Sigwart 2011: table 1.

Material examined. Holotype ( MNHN 5901) and single paratype ( MNHN 5900). 27 specimens in 1 lot from the Solomon Islands.

Distribution. The species was originally known only from the type locality in Vanuatu ( Sirenko 2001). The present, equivocally identified material extends the range, with the majority of specimens known from the Solomon Islands. The species is now known from 522– 836 m. Found living and feeding on sunken terrestrial plant remains.

Remarks. This species is rare. it is distinctive for its small size (around 4 mm in length); it is superficially very similar to a miniature version of L. vanbellei . In L. deforgesi , aesthetes are arranged in bundles of four micraesthetes around each megalaesthete; in L. vanbellei each granule has only two micraesthetes per megalaesthete. Also, the girdle scales of L. deforgesi have distinct ribs, where those in L. vanbellei are smooth.