Lepidochitona cinerea
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Lepidochitona cinerea | |
|---|---|
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| Top and underside of Lepidochitona cinerea | |
Scientific classification  | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Mollusca |
| Class: | Polyplacophora |
| Order: | Chitonida |
| Family: | Tonicellidae |
| Genus: | Lepidochitona |
| Species: | L. cinerea |
| Binomial name | |
| Lepidochitona cinerea Linnaeus, 1767 | |
Lepidochitona cinerea, sometimes referred to as the common chiton or gray chiton, is a species of chiton, a marine polyplacophoran mollusc in the family Tonicellidae. It is widely distributed in European coastal waters.[1]
Lepidochitona cinerea is found in the eastern North Atlantic Ocean, including the North Sea, and extends into the Mediterranean Sea and parts of the Black Sea. It is commonly found on rocky shores.[1]
Description
Lepidochitona cinerea is a broadly oval mollusc that grows up to about 24 mm (0.9 in) in length. Like other chitons, it has eight overlapping dorsal plates surrounded by a girdle. The colour is variable, typically grey, brown, or greenish, often with mottled or banded patterns that provide camouflage against rocky substrates. The species often clings tightly to rocks and can withstand strong wave action.[1]
