Kingdom Animalia Class Gastropoda Family Clionidae Scientific name Clione antarctica | Phylum Mollusca Superfamily Clionoidea Subfamily Clioninae Rank Species | |
Similar Clione limacina, Clione, Limacina helicina, Limacina, Diplulmaris antarctica | ||
Clione antarctica is a species of "sea angel", a sea slug, a pelagic marine gastropod mollusk in the family Clionidae, the "sea angels".
Contents
Distribution
The distribution of Clione antarctica is within the Southern Hemisphere, in the polar waters of Antarctica.
Description
The length of this species is 4.2 cm.
Ecology
Clione antarctica is an important component of polar ecosystems. It preys upon Limacina antarctica It is itself eaten by the medusa Diplulmaris antarctica. C. antarctica has a large lipid storage capacity: up to 5% of its wet mass. It is able to survive without food for about six months by utilizing these lipid storage reserves. Clione antarctica lays eggs in the spring.
This species defends itself from predators by synthesizing an ichthyodeterrent (a chemical that deters fishes); this is a previously unknown molecule called pteroenone. 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.