Placiphorella velata (Carpenter MS & Dall 1879)

Usually in shaded depressions or crevices or under rocks on open coast, usually associated with crustose coralline algae.

Geographical Range: Forester Island, Alaska to Isla Cedros, Baja California and upper Gulf of California

Depth Range: Very low intertidal and subtidal

Chiton up to 5 cm long, has all 8 plates visible, dorsal surface of girdle with long scaly hairs or setae. Anterior girdle is much wider than elsewhere, often is lighter in color than the rest of the girdle, and may be held high above the substrate like a veil. The valves are short and wide, brownish or reddish, mottled and streaked with white, beige, green, and occasionally black. Juveniles may have bright spots on valves. The veil has setae dorsally, bristles on the side, and ventral papillae with several long, fleshy precephalic tentacles anterior and lateral to the head. Body may be overgrown with bryozoans or algae.

How to Distinguish from Similar Species: Veiled chitons are unique--no other chiton has the large veil. Placiphorella rufa is mostly subtidal, up to 2 cm, and presumably has a red veil.

Biology/Natural History: This species can be a grazer on microalgae or a carnivore. As a carnivore it traps small crustaceans and worms under the veil by lowering it rapidly, "stomping" on them when they crawl beneath it. Smaller crustaceans are swallowed whole. Larger prey including crabs up to 1 cm across are torn up by the radula before being eaten. Uncommon. Spawn in September in California.