Gumboot Chiton - OceanLink

Gumboot Chiton
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Chitons
Chitons are a group of molluscs that inhabit the intertidal and subtidal regions, and are called Polyplacophora because they bear many plates on their back.

Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Mollusca
Class: Polyplacophora
Order: Neoloricata
Family: Acanthochitonidae
Genus: Cryptochiton
Species: stelleri

These eight overlapping plates are a distinctive characteristic of all chitons, and are usually visible on the chiton's back. When viewed from the bottom, there is a large central foot used for creeping and adherence to the substrate. The head is found in front of the foot, but really only consists of a short squat protuberance with the mouth at the tip.

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