Black Katy Chiton
The black Katy chiton (Katharina tunicata) is a large, black, leathery-looking chiton of the Pacific coast, whose thick girdle covers most of the shell plates, leaving a butterfly-shaped patch exposed.
The black Katy chiton (Katharina tunicata) is a large, black, leathery-looking chiton of the Pacific coast, whose thick girdle covers most of the shell plates, leaving a butterfly-shaped patch exposed.
🧬 Field Guide Specimen: Open Black Katy Chiton in the CRV Science Field Guide to log the specimen, see its place among the Lophotrochozoa lineages in the Cladogram Explorer, and test your recall in the Red List conservation game.
A Rock Grazer
The chiton feeds on algae, including kelp, and can be abundant on exposed rocks. Its grazing opens space for other algae.
Food for People
Coastal peoples from Alaska to California harvested black Katy chitons, which were eaten raw, roasted or dried. Harvests continue today in some areas.
Plates and Girdle
Eight valves are partly buried in the girdle, and the girdle edge grips rocks tightly. See Gumboot Chiton.
Black Katy Chiton at a Glance
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| Scientific name | Katharina tunicata |
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Mollusca |
| Class | Polyplacophora |
| Order | Chitonida |
| Family | Mopaliidae |
| Field Guide group | Lophotrochozoa: Mollusca (Mollusks) |
| Diagnostic feature (Field Guide) | Glossy black leathery girdle covers most of its eight plates, leaving only triangular tips exposed; grazes algae on wave-battered rocks. |
| Class | Polyplacophora |
| Girdle | Thick and black |
See Also
- Gumboot Chiton — another large chiton
- Lined Chiton — a smaller chiton