Lined chiton (Tonicella lineata)
The lined chiton is a species of chiton from the North Pacific. It has been recorded from intertidal and subtidal waters to a depth of 30 to 90 m. T. lineata often occurs on rocks that are encrusted by coralline algae; presumably this is what their coloration is intended to camouflage against. If knocked from its substrate, T. lineata will contract into a ball in order to protect its vulnerable ventral side, similar to many isopods. Coralline algae are also the major food item of T. lineata.
Photo via Wikipedia Commons
References:
http://www.afsc.noaa.gov/kodiak/photo/mistonicella.htm
http://www.centralcoastbiodiversity.org/lined-chiton-bull-tonicella-lineata.html
#coolcritters #linedchiton #marinelife #biodiversity
polyplacophores -- learning taxonomy is an alternative to learning greek and latin for the purpose of etymology. Downside is that biologists never cease to revise the tree of life, so that names or even the grouping they mean often become obsolete. After >40 years, this group's name reveals particularly easy to remember.
ReplyDeleteunique , wow , natures designs......
ReplyDelete