Mopalia ciliata (Sowerby II, 1840)
Hairy chiton
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Family:  Mopaliidae ()
Max. size:  5.1 cm TL (male/unsexed)
Environment:  benthic; marine
Distribution:  Eastern Pacific: Canada, Alaska to Mexico.
Diagnosis:  Girdle: Wide with sparse flat glassy hairs having several recurved spines at the base. Mucro: Strongly posterior. Valves: Beaked slightly. Central areas: Longitudinally ribbed and where each rib touches the lateral area there is a granular pustule. Pustules: Form a heavy lateral rib; from this rib the central area rib continues at an oblique angle on the lateral areas until it again reaches a granular pustule at the posterior edge of the valve; pustules form another granular rib along the posterior edge of each valve. Color: Ranging from dull gray, grays with white, greens with yellows, whites with yellows, greens with red, greens with maroon with white mixed in (Ref. 296). Body: Oval to elongate (Ref. 290). Girdle: Medium wide nude; microscopically granulated fleshy. Mucro: Anterior. Central areas: Smooth. Lateral areas: Defined by a slightly raised rib with a smooth area inside. Color of valves: Blood red with white lightning marks. Color of girdle: Cream (Ref. 296).
Biology:  Intertidal to shallow subtidal (Ref. 290).
IUCN Red List Status: Not Evaluated (N.E.) Ref. 123251)
Threat to humans: 
Country info:   
 

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