Threats
Currently, the status of A. gemmata has not been evaluated on the IUCN Red List. Therefore it is unknown if this species is at risk of extinction and if it requires conservation efforts.
For most benthic and slow moving animals, the most notable threats to A. gemmata include crabs, fish and birds. (12,13,15) When chitons are caught off guard, birds are able them over and feast on their soft parts (Figure 1).(3)
Figure 1. A chiton thats insides have been eaten by a bird
Global climate change may also pose a threat to A. gemmata. If sea level rise continues to increase at such a rapid rate it may eliminate the preferred habitat that A. gemmata occupies.(9)
The threats that chitons pose to humans is harmless.
|