Tonicella

lineata

Photo 1:  Tonicella lineata

 

Seen in Cattle Point, San Juan Island, Washington

 

Photo by Lisa Hannon

Tonicella lineata

 

Suborder:  Ischnochitonina

 

Family:  Lepidochitonidae

 

Common Name:  Lined Chiton

 

Reaches lengths of 5 cm

 

Intraspecific Coloration:  Brightly colored plates vary in background color

 

Distinctive zigzagging, multicolored lines over plates.  Outer girdle is dark and can have contrasting spots of color

 

Habitat:  Low intertidal to subtidal zones

 

Range:  Alaska to California

 

Diet:  Pink coralline algae (Lithothamnion sp.)

 

Found:  Cattle Point, San Juan Island, Washington

 

(ITIS 2007, Kozloff 1993, Sept 1999)