Red-Flecked Mopalia

Mopalia spectabilis

Mopalia spectabilis is a chiton characterized by its central area of plates, which are pitted in longitudinal rows. The girdle is commonly banded in light orange and brown, with bright turquoise zigzag markings. The girdle also features prominent plumed hairs that resemble small bottle brushes. This species can be distinguished from similar species such as Tonicella lineata and Tonicella undocaerulea, which have hairless girdles and different coloration patterns. This chiton is found along the eastern Pacific, ranging from Kodiak Island, Alaska, to Baja California. It typically inhabits intertidal zones and can be found under ledges and on the bottoms of rocks at depths up to 10 meters. The red-flecked mopalia often resides in areas with active current flow or tidal wash, where it may be covered with encrusting organisms like sponges and bryozoans. Feeding primarily on various invertebrates, Mopalia spectabilis consumes sponges, hydroids, bryozoans, and tunicates, particularly Metandrocarpa taylori. This species reproduces through a process where eggs hatch into planktonic larvae that settle on the ocean floor as young adults. Encounters with this chiton during dives may reveal it clinging to rocks, often with other organisms attached to its valves. The conservation status of Mopalia spectabilis has not been evaluated.