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Mollusks
- Polyplacophoras
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Class: Polyplacophora - Chitons The Polyplacophora, commonly known as chitons, are slow-moving, bilaterally symmetrical, marine molluscs. They are typically grazers living attached to rocky substrates in the intertidal and shallow sub-littoral coastal regions although some groups are known to occur in deep water down to 5000m. The mouth bears a large, well-developed toothed structure, the radula, which contains rows of 17 teeth. The shape of the various teeth are important taxonomic characters. Close up picture of the radula (chiton teeth). The body of a chiton is covered by a shell that consists of a series of eight symmetrical, overlapping plates. A chiton can roll itself up into a ball, exposing only the hard shell, when it feels threatened. It moves using an oval, footlike appendage. The chiton also uses the foot to cling to rocks. Chitons feeds upon seaweed and algae. Chitons are adapted to living on hard rock surfaces. They have a very muscular foot, and when disturbed, can clamp down so that they cannot be dislodged unless their shell is smashed. See more about Chitons. Some interesting things about Polyplacophoras - By Paul Polyplacophora :
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