List of prehistoric chitons


This list of prehistoric chitons is an attempt to create a comprehensive listing of all genera from the fossil record that have ever been considered to be polyplacophora, excluding purely vernacular terms. The list includes all commonly accepted genera, but also genera that are now considered invalid, doubtful, or were not formally published, as well as junior synonyms of more established names, and genera that are no longer considered chitons.

Naming conventions and terminology

Naming conventions and terminology follow the International Code of Zoological Nomenclature. Technical terms used include:Junior synonym: A name which describes the same taxon as a previously published name. If two or more genera are formally designated and the type specimens are later assigned to the same genus, the first to be published is the senior synonym, and all other instances are junior synonyms. Senior synonyms are generally used, except by special decision of the ICZN, but junior synonyms cannot be used again, even if deprecated. Junior synonymy is often subjective, unless the genera described were both based on the same type specimen.