Lepidozona clathrata (Reeve, 1847)

(Figures 2F, 6A–F)

Chiton clathratus Reeve, 1847: 12–27 . Chresonymy and synonymy in Ferreira (1974).

Type material. According to Ferreira (1974) he did not find the holotype, which was recorded to be held in BMNH .

Type locality. According to Ferreira (1974) at San Felipe, Baja California (BC), México .

Material examined. Four specimens, BL 18.1–19.2 mm.

Habitat. On large rocks with brown and red crusty algae patches, in exposed areas that are semi–dry during low tide. The chitons were found in the lower part of loose rocks buried in sand in a moist environment.

Remarks. Lepidozona clathrata has a sculpture of radial ribs with rounded knobs on head, tail valves and lateral areas of intermediate valves (Figs. 6A–D); lateral areas with 3–4 ribs with aligned somewhat elevated knobs (Fig. 6B). Central areas with sculpture of thick red, jugal area with 3–5 longitudinal elevated ribs (Figs. 6B–D). Dorsal girdle scales with a horn–like projection located on its apical edge (Fig. 6E). Major lateral radular tooth unicuspid, minor lateral shorter than the central tooth (Fig. 6F).

Lepidozona clathrata is a relatively large species compared to other species of the genus Lepidozona from the Gulf of California (Kaas & Van Belle 1987), with a maximum length of 38 mm. This species is characterized by having a coarse tegmentum, girdle dorsally covered with large sub–rectangular scales (240 μm) with rounded edges and a small, short protrusion in the shape of a horn at the apical edge of the scale (Fig. 6E).