Chitons are marine molluscs of varying size in the class Polyplacophora, formerly known as Amphineura. About 940 extant and 430 fossil species are recognized.
Chiton
Two individuals of Acanthopleura granulata on a rock at high tide level in Guadeloupe
Loose valves or plates of Chiton tuberculatus from the beachdrift on Nevis, West Indies, head plates at the top, tail plates at the bottom
Prepared chiton shell with structure of plates clearly visible.
Mollusca is the second-largest phylum of invertebrate animals, after Arthropoda; members are known as molluscs or mollusks. Around 76,000 extant species of molluscs are recognized. The number of fossil species is estimated between 60,000 and 100,000 additional species. The proportion of undescribed species is very high. Many taxa remain poorly studied.
Image: Grapevinesnail 01a
Image: Octopus 2
Image: Clams on Sandy Hook beaches panoramio
Image: Tonicella lineata