Holding fast?

 

 

We were doing surveys during the low tide this morning (27 April 2024) when Eric spotted this unusual interaction.  The holdfast of a small Sea Palm (Postelsia palmaeformis) had grown over and appeared to be attached to a chiton, Nuttallina californica!

 

Chitons are mobile grazers, moving over the surface of the rock and feeding on algae.  Perhaps they take breaks and stay in place for a while, which allowed the kelp to attach to it?

 

We didn't actually pull on the chiton to see if the haptera (root-like outgrowths) were definitely attached to the chiton, but it sure looks like it:

 

 

 

We'll be back in this area and can check on the kelp and chiton again to see how things turn out.