Placiphorella velata Carpenter MS, Dall, 1879

This two inch chiton has a wide girdle with an elongated extension at the head valve giving rise to common name of 'jockey-cap chiton.' Bristles are sparsely scattered on this smooth fleshy girdle, heavier on the 'cap' area. Mucro is posterior and depressed. Central areas are smooth. Lateral areas raised and defined by wide diagonal rib and smooth. Whole surface of the valves are marked with concentric growth lines. Color of valves are variable in pink, green, blacks and mottled. The girdle is cream colored, bright pink in life.

This is one of the few species of chitons that is carnivorous as shown in the center image.

The two lspecimens on left are from Burghardt Collection. The one in center has captured a crab. The habitat photo on the right was taken at the Monterey Bay Aquarium, California