Grab & Go

NAME: , Gumboot and Mossy

CLASSIFICATION: Cryptochiton stelleri and Mopalia muscosa; phylum ;

MAIN MESSAGES: . All are potentially threatened by the same effects of climate change and ocean warming as other marine life.

DISTRIBUTION AND HABITAT: Chitons are found in rocky intertidal areas down to 80 feet, and range from the Northern Pacific and to Southern Califor- nia.

DESCRIPTION AND DIET: Chitons are flattened, mostly sedentary molluscs. Their shells are divided into eight separate gray plates, or valves, that move against each other (articulate) allowing the chitons to conform to the irregular rocky surface. These plates are surrounded or covered by a tough, leathery border called a girdle. Chitons use their foot to maintain a strong grip against the wash of the waves. The largest chiton, the Gum- boot, lives off the West Coast of the U.S. as well as Japan (up to 13" in length, 5–6" in width).

When the environment is calm, the mossy chiton forages on small algae, and remains on the rock’s surface during both low and high tides. The Gumboot Chiton diet also includes red algae and various coralline algae, giant kelp and oarweed. The chiton’s mouth is just ahead of its foot. A (a tongue composed of chitin and covered with rows of teeth, is used to scrape algae (primarily coralline) and diatoms off of rocks. They are nocturnal feeders.

PREDATORS: Their primary predators are sea stars, although they are difficult to capture. They have a low silhouette and very efficient muscular foot.

REPRODUCTION: Sexes are separate in the chitons. Fertilization occurs in the mantle cavity and eggs are laid in masses of jelly. Free-swimming larvae hatch, swim, then settle to the sub- strate. After several days and stages of change, they resemble their parents.

LIFE SPAN AND CONSERVATION: The Gumboot Chiton can live to 20 years. All chitons are potentially threatened by the same effects of climate change and ocean warming as other ma- rine life.

INTERESTING FACTS: West Coast chitons are usually light sensitive and likely to be found un- derneath rocks. Many chitons have a “homing spot,” a depression in the rock, to which they re- turn when not foraging for food. The suction of a chiton’s muscular foot is said to equal 70 pounds of pressure per square inch. And its articulated plates allow it to roll up into a ball when disturbed. Gumboot Chitons have very hard teeth, with so much iron they can be picked up with a magnet.

WHERE IN THE ACADEMY? Chitons are in the Coast tank and the .

C:\CAS GRAB N GO SPECIMENS–CHITON