Re: A Californian mystery

December 11, 1998
From: Rebecca Johnson

Dear JM and Dr. Rudman,
Concerning JM's Dec 1st message: I think the large molluscs JM has found on the beach in Monterey, CA are chitons. From his description they sound like dead Cryptochiton stelleri. This is the largest chiton in the world. It has internal valves and a hard, rough, reddish brown mantle. I have seen them washed up on the beach many times and they look a bit like American footballs. I could not find a web site with a picture of the live animal, but maybe someone else can. I hope this helps.
Cheers,
Rebecca Johnson

rjohnson@cas.calacademy.org

Johnson, R., 1998 (Dec 11) Re: A Californian mystery. [Message in] Sea Slug Forum. Australian Museum, Sydney. Available from http://www.seaslugforum.net/find/373

Thanks Rebecca,
It's a pity anything dead and dishevelled gets called a "slug". Certainly a Cryptochiton would fit the bill. I didn't realise they got so large in your part of the world .. but I guess it is California!
Cheers,
Bill

Rudman, W.B., 1998 (Dec 11). Comment on Re: A Californian mystery by Rebecca Johnson. [Message in] Sea Slug Forum. Australian Museum, Sydney. Available from http://www.seaslugforum.net/find/373

Factsheet

Chitons, Amphineura and Polyplacophora

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