Lepidopleurida

Lepidopleurida is an order of chitons, which are marine molluscs belonging to the class Polyplacophora. Chitons are characterized by their shell, which is composed of eight dorsal plates, and a broad, muscular foot. Lepidopleurida are distinguished from other chiton orders by certain morphological features, particularly in their shell structure and the arrangement of their gills. This order encompasses some of the most primitive forms of living chitons, retaining features that are believed to be ancestral.

The shells of lepidopleurids are often relatively thin and may be sculptured with various patterns of granules or ribs. Unlike some other chiton groups, the articulamentum, the inner calcified layer of the shell plates, is typically well-developed. The girdle, the fleshy band that surrounds the shell plates, can also vary in appearance, sometimes bearing scales or bristles. These animals are typically found in marine environments, inhabiting a range of substrates from rocky shores to deeper seafloor sediments. They are herbivorous, feeding on algae and diatoms scraped from surfaces with their radula. The order Lepidopleurida includes several families and numerous species found worldwide.