Mopalia

ciliata

Photo 1:  Mopalia ciliata

 

Seen in gregarious congregations on the Cattle Point, San Juan Island and Fox Island, Gig Harbor, Washington

 

Photo by Dr. Bonnie J. Becker

Mopalia ciliata

 

Suborder:  Ischnochitonina

 

Family:  Mopaliidae

 

Common Name:  Hairy Chiton

 

Reaches lengths of 9 cm

 

Wide outer girdle has soft hairs

 

Similar in appearance to M. muscosa and M. lignosa

 

Habitat:  Rocky low to mid-intertidal zones

 

Range:  Alaska to Baja California

 

Diet:  Various types of algae, hydroids and bryozoans

 

Found:  Cattle Point, San Juan Island, Washington and Fox Island, Gig Harbor, Washington

 

(ITIS 2007, Kozloff 1993, Sept 1999)