Class: Polyplacophora
The members of the class polyplacophora are commonly known as chitons, and are characterized by possessing 8 shells, and cling tightly to surfaces, grazing on algae and other encrusted nutritious material in their surroundings. Our rocky coasts are home to many chiton species.
Note: Click the images below to see larger versions of them!
Family Ischnochitonidae
Stenoplax conspicua (Pilsbry, 1892)
San Diego, California. © R. J. Waayers
Stenoplax fallax (Carpenter in Pilsbry, 1892)
Monterey Bay, California, © R. Clark
Lepidozona mertensii (von Middendorff, 1847)
Trinidad, California. © R. J. Waayers
Lepidozona radians (Carpenter in Pilsbry, 1892)
Monterey Bay, California. © R. Clark
Lepidozona scrobiculata (von Middendorf, 1847)
Monterey Bay, California, © R. Clark
Family Lepidochitonidae
Cyanoplax cryptica Kues, 1974
La Jolla, California, © R. Clark