Description

• Chiton articulatus, commonly known as the sea cockroach or dog’s tongue chiton, is a large marine mollusc in the family Chitonidae. Its broad, oval body is protected by eight overlapping shell plates, usually olive-green, brown, or greyish-brown, with visible growth lines and a relatively smooth surface. The surrounding fleshy girdle is covered with small overlapping scales arranged in contrasting greenish bands. Adults commonly reach 40–75 mm in length, with some exceeding this size.

Range

• This species is endemic to the tropical Pacific coast of Mexico, ranging from Sinaloa in the north to Oaxaca in the south, including Guerrero and Zihuatanejo.

Habitat

• Chiton articulatus inhabits rocky intertidal shores, particularly the middle and upper intertidal zones exposed to strong wave action. It clings tightly to rocks, boulders, and other hard surfaces, often sheltering in crevices or beneath ledges. Its shell may support a community of algae and other small organisms growing on its surface.

Diet

• This chiton feeds primarily by grazing on algae growing on rocks, including tough crustose algae. Using a specialised rasping tongue called a radula, it scrapes algae and associated organic material from hard surfaces. It also consumes detritus and microscopic organic films, contributing to nutrient recycling in rocky-shore ecosystems.