How to Identify Tonicellidae

Tonicellidae is a animal family in the Animalia kingdom, order Chitonida, class Polyplacophora. The family contains 12 accepted species worldwide.

Key Identification Features

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Representative Tonicellidae Species

How to identify Tonicella undocaerulea Sirenko, 1973

Tonicella undocaerulea Sirenko, 1973

Tonicella undocaerulea Sirenko, 1973

Tonicella undocaerulea, the blue-lined chiton, is a Pacific coast chiton with di…

How to identify Tonicella lokii R.N.Clark, 1999

Tonicella lokii R.N.Clark, 1999

Tonicella lokii R.N.Clark, 1999

Tonicella lokii is a species of chiton with distinct patterned valves and a hair…

How to identify Lepidochitona cinerea (Linnaeus, 1767)

Lepidochitona cinerea (Linnaeus, 1767)

Lepidochitona cinerea (Linnaeus, 1767)

Lepidochitona cinerea is a broadly oval mollusc up to 24 mm long, found in the N…

How to identify Nuttallina californica (Reeve, 1847)

Nuttallina californica (Reeve, 1847)

Nuttallina californica (Reeve, 1847)

Nuttallina californica is a chiton species endemic to the Pacific coast of North…

How to identify Tonicella marmorea (O.Fabricius, 1780)

Tonicella marmorea (O.Fabricius, 1780)

Tonicella marmorea (O.Fabricius, 1780)

Tonicella marmorea is a chiton species found in Arctic and North Atlantic waters…

How to identify Cyanoplax keepiana (S.S.Berry, 1948)

Cyanoplax keepiana (S.S.Berry, 1948)

Cyanoplax keepiana (S.S.Berry, 1948)

Cyanoplax keepiana (Keep's chiton) is a small chiton species native to the Pacif…

How to identify Cyanoplax dentiens (A.Gould, 1846)

Cyanoplax dentiens (A.Gould, 1846)

Cyanoplax dentiens (A.Gould, 1846)

Cyanoplax dentiens, or Gould's baby chiton, is a small, highly variably colored …

How to identify Cyanoplax hartwegii (P.P.Carpenter, 1856)

Cyanoplax hartwegii (P.P.Carpenter, 1856)

Cyanoplax hartwegii (P.P.Carpenter, 1856)

Cyanoplax hartwegii is a small Eastern Pacific chiton that lives in intertidal t…

How to identify Tonicella lineata (W.Wood, 1815)

Tonicella lineata (W.Wood, 1815)

Tonicella lineata (W.Wood, 1815)

Tonicella lineata is a colorful Pacific chiton that grows up to 5 cm long, found…

How to identify Tonicella insignis (Reeve, 1847)

Tonicella insignis (Reeve, 1847)

Tonicella insignis (Reeve, 1847)

Tonicella insignis is a distinguishable eight-valve chiton found along the North…

Browse all 12 Tonicellidae species →

Frequently Asked Questions

How do you identify Tonicellidae?

Tonicellidae animals belong to the Chitonida order in the Animalia kingdom. Tonicella undocaerulea, commonly known as the blue-lined chiton, has a distinct head plate marked with zigzagging white concentric lines. For instant identification, use the iNature app — AI-powered and works offline.

What are the key characteristics of Tonicellidae?

Tonicellidae is classified in the order Chitonida, class Polyplacophora, phylum Mollusca. During the reproductive cycle, female chitons develop oocytes in their gonads through three distinct stages.

Sources: GBIF, iNaturalist, Wikipedia · Disclaimer

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