| |
|
| |
| Mossy
Chiton |
(Mopalia
muscosa) |
|
 |
Description:
Often found in tidepools or on rocks. Stiff hairs on girdle.
Dark brown, gray to black. Chiton's body consists of 8 overlapping
shell plates (valves) bound together by a leathery girdle. Lacking
eyes or tentacles, chitons can never the less sense the light
level through light-sensitive organs in its shell. Unaffected
by silt deposition. The plates are often covered by barnacles,
seaweeds, and other life.To 2.75 inches in length. |
|
| Food:
Scrapes algae from rocks with its radula - a rasping tongue-like
strap. |
|
| Reproduction:
Separate sexes. Gametes released into the water column where
fertilization takes place. |
|
| Fun
Facts: This species moves and feeds only at night
when covered by water. |
|
Hairy
Chiton |
(Mopalia
ciliata) |
|
 |
Description:
Found in protected locations such as under rocks in the intertidal
zone. Soft hairs on girdle. Varies in color from dark to light.
Chiton's body consists of 8 overlapping shell plates (valves)
bound together by a leathery girdle. Lacking eyes or tentacles,
chitons can never the less sense the light level through light-sensitive
organs in its shell. To 3 inches in length. |
|
| Food:
Scrapes algae, sponges,bryozoans and hydroids from rocks with
its radula - a rasping tongue-like strap. |
|
| Reproduction:
Separate sexes. Gametes released into the water column where
fertilization takes place. |
|
| Fun
Facts: Valves sometimes display colorful patterns
of streaks and splotches. |
|
Lined
Chiton |
(Tonicella
lineata) |
|
 |
Description:
Found intertidally on rocks grazing on algae. Beautiful colors
ranging from orange red to pink. Alternating light and dark
zigzag lines on the plates. Chiton's body consists of 8 overlapping
shell plates (valves) bound together by a leathery girdle. Lacking
eyes or tentacles, chitons can never the less sense the light
level through light-sensitive organs in its shell. To 2 inches
in length. |
|
| Food:
Scrapes coralline algae from rocks with its radula - a rasping
tongue-like strap. |
|
| Reproduction:
Separate sexes. Gametes released into the water column where
fertilization takes place. |
|
| Fun
Facts: This colorful species is preyed upon by the
Ochre and Six-Rayed Sea Stars. |
|
| Black
Chiton |
(Katharina
tunicata) |
|
 |
Description:
Common in exposed wave swept or high current areas to mid-intertidal.
Black to brownish girdle mostly covering the gray to white plates.
Chiton's body consists of 8 overlapping shell plates (valves)
bound together by a leathery girdle. This species is tolerant
of light, and can be found in the open. To 4 inches in length. |
|
| Food:
Scrapes algae and animal life from rocks with its radula - a
rasping tongue-like strap. |
|
| Reproduction:
Separate sexes. Female lays green eggs in the summer. |
|
| Fun
Facts: These chitons were traditional fare of the
Native peoples of the region, and are the subject of many folk
tales. This chiton only lives for 3 years. |
|
| Gumboot
Chiton |
(Cryptochiton
stelleri) |
|
 |
Description:
Mostly subtidal but found on rocky beaches at lowest tides.
Chiton's body consists of 8 overlapping shell plates (valves)
bound together by a reddish brown leathery girdle; which in
this species totally encloses the plates. Lacking eyes or tentacles,
chitons can never-the-less sense the light level through light-sensitive
organs in its shell. To 13 inches in length. |
|
| Food:
Scrapes algae and animal life from rocks with its radula - a
rasping tongue-like strap. |
|
| Reproduction:
Separate sexes. Gametes released into the water column where
fertilization takes place. |
|
| Fun
Facts: The largest chiton in the world, this animal
can live for longer than 20 years! This chiton is also edible.
This species radula is covered in magnetite (an ore of iron)
to the extent that it can detected with a metal detector. |
|
| |
|
| Copyright
© 2008-2009 City of Edmonds, Washington - All Rights Reserved |
|
|
|
