Chitons (Mollusca: Polyplacophora) from the Venezuelan Coasts, Southern Caribbean: A Checklist and Brief Review in Advance of Their Knowledge

Abstract

Chitons or polyplacophores constitute a of the eight classes of the filum Mollusca. They are generally small, flattened and elongated animals, provided with eight (8) overlapping dorsal plates or valves, bordered by a belt of scales and/or calcareous spicules formed by the mantle, called perinotum. The cavity of the mantle encloses the foot, which is expands forming a large sole, which not only serves for the locomotion but also to maintain firm contact with the surface of the substrates where they live (Gracia C. et al. 2005: 117) (Figure 1).