Class Amphineura

Class Amphineura

There are approximately 500 species of chiton divided into 3 orders: Polyplacophora, Placophora and Loricata. Scaly-Valved (Lepidopleuridae), Slender (Ischnochitonidae), and Well-Sculptured (Callistoplacidae). These marine mollusks have flattened, oval bodies with bilateral symmetry. Chiton have gills and may reach lengths up to 5cm. The dorsal, or upper surface, is protected by 8 layered plates. Shown is a Lined Chiton, Tonicella lineata. [BM] {EB}