Introduction
Who Am I?
I am an invertebrate.
I have an oval shaped body that is strongly depressed dorso-ventrally.
Even though some features of my structure and development are primitive, I am highly adapted for a life adhering to rocks and shells.
I have a mantle and a distinctive shell that is composed of 8 overlapping plates.
My head is poorly developed and indistinct however I have a very broad and well-developed muscular foot that helps me to adhere to hard substrates.
My head lacks cephalic eyes however my shell has eyes or light receptors that are known as aesthetes which helps me to see.
I am part of the phyla Mollusca.
Who Am I?
Polyplacophora- or chiton!
Figure 1. Acanthopleura gemmata
This web page is designed for those who wish to
gain a better understanding of the exciting organisms known as
Polyplacophorans! This web page will focus on the species Acanthopleura gemmata (Figure 1) that is known to occur in Australia and is very
abundant on Heron Island!
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