Clione antarctica
Species of gastropod
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Clione antarctica is a species of "sea angel", a sea slug, a pelagic marine gastropod mollusk in the family Clionidae, the "sea angels".
| Clione antarctica | |
|---|---|
Scientific classification  | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Mollusca |
| Class: | Gastropoda |
| Clade: | Euopisthobranchia |
| Order: | Pteropoda |
| Family: | Clionidae |
| Genus: | Clione |
| Species: | C. antarctica |
| Binomial name | |
| Clione antarctica (Smith, 1902) | |
Distribution
The distribution of Clione antarctica is within the Southern Hemisphere, in the polar waters of Antarctica.[1][2]
Description
The body length of this species is 1–3 cm (0.4–1.2 in).[3]
Ecology
Clione antarctica is an important component of polar ecosystems. It preys upon Limacina antarctica[1] It is itself eaten by the medusa Diplulmaris antarctica.[4] C. antarctica has a large lipid storage capacity: up to 5% of its wet mass.[5] It is able to survive without food for about six months by utilizing these lipid storage reserves.[5] Clione antarctica lays eggs in the spring.[5]
This species defends itself from predators by synthesizing an ichthyodeterrent (a chemical that deters fishes); this is a previously unknown molecule called pteroenone.[6] The sea angel acts as a "guest" for the hyperiid amphipod Hyperiella dilatata, which takes advantage of the protection provided by the gastropod's icthyodeterrent.[6]