Beautiful chiton [Tonicella undocaerulea]
Description
The beautiful chiton is a marine polyplacophoran mollusk found in the subtidal zones of the Northern Pacific Ocean. Its shell is composed of eight separate shell plates, each with a different shade of blue, pink, or purple, making it one of the most colorful species in its genus. They feed on red and coralline algae and are known for their slow movement.
Taxonomy
| Phylum |
Mollusks
Mollusca
|
|---|---|
| Class |
Chitons
Polyplacophora
|
| Order |
Acanthochitonina
Acanthochitonina
|
| Family |
Hairy Chitons
Mopaliidae
|
| Genus |
Tonicella
Tonicella
|