CHAPTER VIII
Coat-of-Mails
and Other Chitons
Class AMPHINEURA
Order LEPIDOPLEURIDA
Family LEPIDOPLEURIDAE
Genus Lepidopleurus Risso 1826
Lepidopleurus cancellatus SowerbyArctic Cancellate Chiton
Greenland to the Gulf of Maine. Bering Sea to Oregon.
½ inch in length, arched; color of exterior an orange-gray to whitish gray; interior white. Anterior valve microscopically granulated in radial rows. Central areas of the intermediate valves very finely granulated with densely placed, round pimples. Posterior valve with a smooth, slightly elevated central apex. Girdle narrow, same color as the valves and densely packed with tiny, split-pea scales. Some scales are commonly club-shaped, especially at the margins of the girdle, or sometimes so irregular and crowded as to give the appearance of fine moss. Moderately common on gravel bottoms from 20 to 100 fathoms.
Key to the Small Red Chitons (½ to 1 inch)
Girdle naked:
Valves dull, color pattern maculated To7iicella marmorea Fabr.
Valves glossy, with bright, black and white lines Tonicella lineata Wood
Girdle with scales:
With overlapping, split-pea scales Lepidopleurus cancellatus Sby.
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