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Sunday, August 7, 2022
Plates of salmon
Eight plates for 8/8!
This is a large chiton photographed at Point Arena on 3 June 2022. I think it's a species of Stenoplax (perhaps S. heathiana?), but I haven't seen this group of chitons that often. I loved the salmon color of the plates!
Salmon in Aspic! Yum!! (Well, it's yum looking, anyway.) The uniform translucent border surrounding this chiton (and probably covering the entire creature) is interesting. What is the length of the chiton and what is the composition and function of that translucent structure? Congratulations on another beautiful and intrigueing find.
As for the size of this chiton -- I'd estimate it was ~7.5 cm (~3 inches) long.
And re: the girdle, i.e., the softer edge of the chiton surrounding the plates, I'll need to do a bit more research. I think of it as supporting the plates and aiding in gripping the substrate, but there are likely other functions as well. For example, in some chitons, the girdle supports little spine- or hair-like structures that probably deter predators. If I learn more, I'll report back!
Jackie
P.S. Julia - if you happen to catch this post, let us know if you have comments on the function of the girdle! :)
3 comments:
Salmon in Aspic! Yum!!
(Well, it's yum looking, anyway.)
The uniform translucent border surrounding this chiton (and probably covering the entire creature) is
interesting. What is the length of the chiton and what is the composition and function of that
translucent structure?
Congratulations on another beautiful and intrigueing find.
What a beautiful chiton, Jackie. How large is it?
Hello!
As for the size of this chiton -- I'd estimate it was ~7.5 cm (~3 inches) long.
And re: the girdle, i.e., the softer edge of the chiton surrounding the plates, I'll need to do a bit more research. I think of it as supporting the plates and aiding in gripping the substrate, but there are likely other functions as well. For example, in some chitons, the girdle supports little spine- or hair-like structures that probably deter predators. If I learn more, I'll report back!
Jackie
P.S. Julia - if you happen to catch this post, let us know if you have comments on the function of the girdle! :)
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