Class Polyplacophora

(chitons)
Major Attributes:
  1. Possess eight calcareous plates that overlap to form a linear chain.
  2. Surrounding mantle developed into thick girdle, often bearing spines, scales or bristles.
  3. Poorly developed head.
  4. Lack eyes and sensory tentacles.
  5. Large radula with many teeth.
  6. Open circulatory system.
  7. Protostomate.

Description:
There are three orders and 550 species of polyplacophorans. The orders differ according to the location of the gills in the mantle cavity, the presence of teeth on the shell plates and the area the girdle covers on the shell plates. The polyplacophorans are grazing marine herbivores that mainly live in shallow waters. They range in size from 3.0 mm. to 40.0 mm.
Some Interesting Facts:
Some Pertinent Books Found in Lamson Library:
  • Banister, Keith and Andrew Campbell. 1985. The Encyclopedia of Animal Life. NY: Facts on File.
  • Glynn, P.W. 1970. On the ecology of the Caribbean chitons Acanthopleura granulata Gmelin and chiton Linne: density, morality, feeding, reproduction, and growth. Washington: Smithsonian Institution Press.
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