Grey Mail-Shell

Lepidochitona cinerea

Lepidochitona cinerea is a broadly oval chiton, reaching lengths of up to 24 mm. Its shell is characterized by a series of overlapping plates, which can help distinguish it from other molluscs. This species is typically found in the North Sea and along the coastal regions of the Black Sea, inhabiting intertidal flats, rock pools, and brackish lagoons. It often resides in areas with Zostera marina beds, indicating a preference for seagrass environments. As a herbivorous creature, Lepidochitona cinerea feeds primarily on microalgae. Its benthic lifestyle means it is often found on the substrate, where it grazes on available food sources. The species exhibits a unique reproductive strategy known as poecilogonony, where eggs can be either demersal or brooded within the mantle cavity until hatching. Encounters with this species during dives may be common, as it has been recorded at numerous dive sites. Divers may spot it in shallow waters, typically at depths shallower than 40 meters, where it blends into the substrate. The conservation status of Lepidochitona cinerea has not been evaluated, but it is generally considered common in its range.