This chiton can reach lengths of 4 inches and is named for its wide girdle covered in long, stiff, dark hairs that resemble moss.
Habitat
Tidepools in rocky areas and in estuaries
Diet
Algae, diatoms
Life History
These chitons reproduce by broadcast spawning. Planktonic larvae settle onto rocks or shells with an algal film.
IUCN Status
Not Evaluated
Ecosystem & Cultural Importance
These chitons are important to food webs. By scraping algae off rocks, they open up settling sites for sessile invertebrates. Their predators include fish, crabs, sea stars, and birds such as glaucous-winged gulls and black oystercatchers.
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