Katharina

tunicata

Katharina tunicata

 

Suborder:  Ischnochitonina

 

Family:  Mopaliidae

 

Common Name:  Black Katy Chiton or Leather Chiton

 

Reaches lengths of 7 cm

 

Leather black girdle almost covers valves

 

Habitat:  Rocky mid-intertidal — typically beaches with wave action

 

Range:  Alaska to California

 

Diet:  Various types of algae

 

Found:  Salt Creek, Port Angeles, Washington; Rialto Beach, Forks, Washington; and Cattle Point, San Juan Island, Washington.

 

(ITIS 2007, Kozloff 1993, Sept 1999)

Photo 1:  Katharina tunicata

 

Seen in gregarious congregations on the Washington’s Pacific Coast at Rialto Beach, Forks, Washington; Cattle Point, San Juan Island, Washington; Salt Creek, Port Angeles, Washington

 

Photo by Lisa Hannon