Lepidopleurida [Lepidopleuridae]

Description

The family Lepidopleuridae consists of chitons that are often referred to based on their order name, Lepidopleurida, due to their distinct morphological features that separate them from other chiton families. Members of this family are characterized by their primitive features, including the lack of eyes and a less complex girdle structure. They are primarily deep-sea dwellers, found in depths that range from the lower intertidal zone to abyssal plains. Lepidopleuridae chitons have a global distribution and are significant for studies on the evolutionary history of chitons due to their basal characteristics.