The low tides of late summer brought me a tidepool treat. I’d read about a connection between a red seaweed called slimy leaf, Schizymenia pacifica, and the Katy chiton, Katharina tunicata, but hadn’t seen it myself. I had seen Katy chitons decked out with various seaweed and animal hitchhikers, but I did not recall slimy leaf among them. By August, my eyes were open for Katies with slippery companions.
With luck on my side, I found Katy chitons dressed in slimy leaf. The photograph below illustrates one of my discoveries. You see only the hind part of the chiton (black, upper center). Its head, oriented toward the bottom of the image, is concealed by draped slimy leaf.
Without much effort, I found two other Katies with slimy leaf growing on their backs. This post’s featured image shows one of the others. We are enjoying this cross-kingdom connection only because someone at Seaweed Sorter took the time to mention what they call a “curious partnership” between Schizymenia and Katharina. If you love testing your Pacific seaweed identification skill, or are curious about Pacific Northwest nature, treat yourself to Seaweed Sorter.
theoutershores 
OK I will admit I would not think of something called a Slimy Leaf as a treat but that’s what I love about you Steve. You’re always showing us something new and different!
An unexpected thing about slimy leaf; it feels slippery slimy when it’s between your fingers, but when you pull your fingers away and rub them together there’s not a hint of sliminess. Thanks Tina!
I definitely agree with Tina. Seaweed identification is definitely above my pay grade. But your enthusiasm is infectious!
From one enthusiastic person to another, thank you, Margaret.
This is very cool, thanks for sharing. I really enjoy your posts. Please keep them coming.
I’m happy to hear you like the chiton-seaweed connection, Sharon. Thanks for letting me know, it means a lot.- Steve
this is wonderful!!!
Thanks for saying so, Jessica. I appreciate it.- Steve
I must agree a bit with Tina and Margaret – but I love your posts!
Tina’s challenge was the perfect to show off the chiton-seaweed connection. Thank you so much.
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Cool! I never heard of this. It reminded me of the octopus decorating itself in “My Octopus Teacher”, an interesting documentary.
Very much so! Thanks so much for the tip about My Octopus Teacher.
Excellent!
Thanks, John! It was kind of cool that the first time I set about looking for the Katy chiton-slimy leaf connection, I found it.- Steve
I also agree with Tina and Margaret, your enthusiasm is infectious and the colors in your pictures are lovely. Even though I cannot identify what I am seeing, I really enjoy looking at your photographs.😊
Thank you very much, Sylvia. I appreciate hearing it. I’ll bet you can identify more than you think!
You definitely capture the beauty, but also educate…much appreciated!