Lepidopleurida [Lepidopleurida]
Description
Lepidopleurida is an order of deep-water chitons, distinguished from other chitons by their lack of eyes and a reduced number of gills. Members of this order are characterized by their leathery girdles and shell plates that are often smooth or finely sculpted. Lepidopleurida chitons inhabit soft substrates in deep-sea environments, where they feed on detritus and microorganisms. Despite their deep-sea habitat, these chitons have a key ecological role in benthic ecosystems, contributing to the cycling of organic material on the ocean floor.