Tonicella insignis (Reeve, 1847)

Common name(s):  White-lined chiton, Red chiton
Synonyms:   Tonicella submarmorea
Order Neoloricata
Suborder Chitonina
Family Lepidochitonidae
Tonicella insignis--underwater photo
(Photo by: Aaron Baldwin)
Description:   This chiton has exposed plates, usually reddish, which have wavy white lines running transversely across them, especially on the anterior parts of plates 2-7.  The girdle is smooth and brown and usually has dull green blotches.  Length to 5 cm

How to Distinguish from Similar Species:   Tonicella lineata also has colorful lines on its plates but the lines are dark, often blue and pink, and edged with white.  The girdle of T. lineata usually has whitish, yellow, or orange blotches.  

Geographical Range:  Alaska to Oregon

Depth Range:  Mostly subtidal to 52 m.

Habitat:  Hard substrates such as rocks

Biology/Natural History:  This chiton is not common in most places, but is said to be abundant subtidally in Hood Canal.  Sometimes a large number of small individuals is found on isolated articles such as bottles.  Predators include clingfish.


  
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References:

Dichotomous Keys:
  Kozloff 1987, 1996
 

General References:
  O'Clair and O'Clair, 1998
  Rice, 1973
  White, 1976

Scientific Articles:
Type articles in this span

Web sites:
 

General Notes and Observations:  Locations, abundances, unusual behaviors:
 

Grazing
Tonicella insignis crawling on coralline algae.  Photo by Kirt Onthank, August 2007


Authors and Editors of Page:
Dave Cowles (2007):  Created original page
CSS coding for page developed by Jonathan Cowles (2007)