Mopalia lignosa

Phylum Mollusca
Class Polyplacophor
Order Ischnochitonida
FamilyMopaliidae
Genus Mopalia
Species lignosa

Description: 5 to 8 cm long, 3 to 5 cm wide; color usually brown to green with yellow to white tinges on the plates; flattened or oval with a row of 8 broad but short plate-like valves on its back.; closely resembles M. ciliata, but its hairs are a bit longer.

Habitat: Lives between the high and low tides and can be found on the undersides of rocks. Occasionally found on pilings and floating docks.

Natural History: It grazes upon algae, bryozoans, hydroids and other similar low growing plants and animals. Along with M. ciliata, this chitin was found at Boston Harbor Marina.