chitons

blue lined chiton

Scientific name: Tonicella undocaerulea

Family: Tonicellidae

Phylum: Mollusca

Typical size: 25-50 millimeters

Depth range: Intertidal to 50 meters, typically found in more shallow waters.

Description:  Orangish-pink background with blue and/or white wavy lines along the sides of the plates (they may be edged in maroon). The lines on the head and tail plates are clearly zigzagged.

Habitat and behavior: Preferring to live in cold waters, they can be found from southern California to central Alaska. They are epiphytes feeders who graze on algae. Found stuck on rocks and do not move far.

lined chiton

Scientific name: Tonicella lineata

Family: Mopaliidae

Phylum: Mollusca

Typical size: 5 centimeters

Depth range: Intertidal to 90 meters

Description: The background color is orange but can have hints of pink or brown mixed in. The plates are typically red in color but can be blue. Wavy blue to white lines run along the sides of the plates and are edged in reddish-brown. Unlike the blue lined chiton, the lined chiton has a pale ring around the plates.

Habitat and behavior: They can be found from southern California to northern Alaska, Japan, and Siberia. They breathe through gills located around the edge of the mantle. Water that passes through and by their gills also helps to carry feces away from their posterior end. They move very slowly and are typically found on rocks grazing on coralline algae. Additionally, they are often spotted in the beds of Purple Sea Urchins because they are better protected. Large sea stars are their primary predators.

woody chiton

Scientific name: Mopalia lignosa

Family: Mopaliidae

Phylum: Mollusca

Typical size: 8 centimeters

Depth range: Intertidal to subtidal

Description: Their colors can vary but they typically have clear streaks of color that run the length of the chiton. Their plates are smooth and their hairs are usually curled and flexible.

Habitat and behavior: They can be found from northern Mexico to central Alaska.