NEW YORK SHELL CLUB NOTES No. 257 December 1979 Page 5 
erties ig collecting records, deeper water seems the preferred hab- 
if a e 
Locally, the known score stands: 
Edna Wilson: be re specimens taken intertidally in the early 
Ss. 
Specimen from 75 feet, off Pt. Loma in 1971. 
specimens from 75 feet, cff Bird Rock in 1971; 
Carolyn Stover: 1 
2 
: specimen from 70 feet, off Bird Rock in 1973; 
5 
John ilyerss 
Specimen from 55 feet, off Pt. Loma in 1974. 
specimens from 60 feet, off Pt. Loma in 1974. 
Myself: 1 small specimen intertidally in 1970. 
Interestingly enough, in intertidal situations adults of this chiton 
usually become heavily encrusted with marine growths which extend 
over the top of the girdle and there become matted with the larger 
setae. This jungly surround them becomes home to various small ma- 
rine creatures, among which are usually a supply of tiny amphipods. 
It seems quite possible that Placiphorella velata may be raising 
some of its own food. A trapper chiton with --- literally --- a 
ranch on the side: a versatile creature indeed! 
Dave Mulliner: 
From: FESTIVUS, VII(1) 3-6, Publication of the San Diego 
Shell Club. The report was illustrated by photo- 
graphs, taken by David K. Mulliner, of the living 
Placiphorella velata. 
OTHER CHITONS, OTHER FOODS 
The large family of Chitons is generally herbivorous, browsing fine 
algae and along with it ingesting bryozoans and diatoms. The Placi- 
phorella velata of the above article, the "trapper chiton," isa 
fascinating exception. Several years ago we made aquarium observa- 
tions on two other species which demonstrated variations in feeding 
habits. We quote from the AMU Annual Reports for 1967: (Since then 
the name of Ischnochiton floridanus has been changed to Stenoplax 
floridana, and Nassarius obsoletus to Ilyanassa obsoleta.) 
",,,.Empty mussel valves found tucked in under the bottom edges of 
stones were the first indication that Ischnochiton floridanus Pils- 
bry might not be entirely herbivorous. After some quiet watching 
the Ischnochiton was seen to emerge from the underside of a stone, 
clamp its anterior end on the mussel meat, then reverse its direc- 
tion dragging the food back under the stone as far as possible. 
The observation was duplicated with another specimen of: 1. lori» 
danus in another tank. 
i i piculata Say 
A second species generally herbivorous, Chaetopleura apicu 
was pees to dent on egg cases deposited on the walls o the 
i ; picinum* 
aquarium. One specimen fed on the egg cases of Prunum a 
Manis then paedent! currently other specimens have frequently fed 
on newly deposited and developing eggs of Nassarius albus Say and 
N. obsoletus Sav. These did not appear to be Waccidental" feedings 
while grazing, as the chitons would twist and turn to center in on 
