Kingdom Animalia Genus Mopalia Phylum Mollusca Rank Species | Family Mopaliidae Scientific name Mopalia hindsii Higher classification Mopalia | |
Similar Mopalia, Mopalia spectabilis, Mopalia ciliata, Mopalia muscosa, Placiphorella | ||
Mopalia hindsii is a species of medium sized chiton that grows up to 7 cm long. Most commonly found in intertidal zones, M. hindsii enjoys protected areas and has a white ventral side unlike most intertidal chitons that are orange underneath.
Contents
Range
Mopalia hindsii have been observed from South California all the way North to Alaska.
Habitat
Mopalia hindsii are most common in protected environments like shallow bays, underneath rocks and on shaded pilings.
Diet
While most chitons are herbivores, M. hindsii will graze on just about anything in its path that doesn’t escape including polychaetes, amphipods, barnacles, sponges and algae. This uncommon lifestyle most likely explains why M. hindsii are able to survive in areas too silty for other chitons
References
Mopalia hindsii Wikipedia(Text) CC BY-SA