Gray J.E., 1821
The Polyplacophora are a group of entirely marine molluscs commonly known as chitons or 'coat-of-mail' shells. They are an ancient group, isolated valves having been found in the Upper Cambrian, but the fossil record is generally poor. They are bilaterally symmetrical with an ovoid body that is very greatly flattened dorso-ventrally. The mantle bears 8 transverse shell valves on its dorsal surface.
The biology of the North Sea species is poorly known largely because they have tended to be overlooked, being for the most part small in size, somewhat cryptic and predominantly sub-littoral in habit.
Source: Jones and Baxter, 1987.
The following subtaxa of this class occur in the region:
Order Lepidopleurida
Family Acanthochitonidae
Genus Acanthochitona
Acanthochitona crinita
Acanthochitona fascicularis
Family Hanleyidae
Genus Hanleya
Hanleya hanleyi
Family Ischnochitonidae
Genus Callochiton
Callochiton septemvalvis
Genus Ischnochiton
Ischnochiton albus
Genus Lepidochitona
Lepidochitona cinerea
Genus Tonicella
Tonicella marmoreus
Tonicella rubra
Family Leptochitonidae
Genus Leptochiton
Leptochiton asellus
Leptochiton cancellatus