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Newly settled juveniles, less than 2 mm long on red, calcareous algae encrusting rock. Smooth, very shallow, pear-shape saucer. The apex at the anterior initially has a minute spiral protoconch (surviving larval shell) which is sealed off and lost soon after metamorphosis. The summit of the shell is further back. Aperture rim is on a single plane conforming to the flat surface of encrusting algae. Almost transparent, showing viscera. Two or three longitudinal rows of iridescent blue dashes.

 

Concise Key id. features: 1Pp flic.kr/p/Z4FxDe

Part 1, SHELL FORMS, BELOW

Part 2, BODY & ANATOMY: 3Pp flic.kr/p/Z4FxtK

Part, 3 HABITS & ECOLOGY: 4Pp flic.kr/p/Z4Fx9M

Sets of OTHER SPECIES: www.flickr.com/photos/56388191@N08/collections/

PDF available at www.researchgate.net/publication/346673416_Patella_pelluc...

 

Patella pellucida Linnaeus, 1758

Authors: Paula Lightfoot, Erling Svensen and Ian F. Smith (text) September 2017.

 

Current taxonomy: World Register of Marine Species (WoRMS) www.marinespecies.org/aphia.php?p=taxdetails&id=147459

Synonyms: Anastes pellucida (Linnaeus, 1758); Helcion pellucidum (Linnaeus, 1758); Patella laevis Pennant, 1777; Patina pellucida (Linnaeus, 1758);

 

Vernacular names: Blue-rayed limpet, Peacock's feather (English); Brenigen lasresog, Brenigen rasen las (Welsh); Blåskæl (Danish); Blauwgestreepte schaalhoren (Dutch); durchscheinende Häubchenschnecke (German); Blåsnigel (Norwegian); Laminaria-skålsnäcka (Swedish); Helcion transparent (French);

 

GLOSSARY below.

 

Introduction

In addition to when they metamorphose from veliger larva to juvenile, all individuals of P. pellucida undergo pronounced morphological change when they mature at about 7mm length. Then, the anterior of the shell ceases to be reduced and starts to grow, probably because of a change from resorption to secretion by the mantle edge. Juvenile growth lines, shaped like tilted horseshoes open at the cut away anterior, are succeeded by unbroken growth lines around the entire shell, and the profile starts to rise. Subsequent adult survival and shell morphology vary greatly with the local environment and microhabitats used. The following describes the resulting forms in detail for the majority of individuals in Britain, but exceptions occur.

Shell Descriptions (Britain)

 

Growth stage1: veliger larva.

Habitat: Plankton. Shell length: Up to 0.2mm. Shape: initially a smooth bowl shape, rapidly becoming slightly spiral with barely more than one whorl (Lebour, 1937). 1Pp flic.kr/p/Z4FxDe Exterior surface: Smooth. Translucent.

 

Growth stage 2: newly settled juvenile.

Habitat: Usually on red, calcareous algae encrusting rock 2Pp flic.kr/p/Z4FxAi .

Shell length: Up to c. 2mm.

Shape: Very shallow saucer. The apex at the anterior intitially has a minute spiral protoconch (surviving larval shell) which is sealed off and lost soon after metamorphosis. The summit of the shell is further back. N.B. “apex” in this account refers to the protoconch location; the highest point of the shell above the substrate is referred to as the “summit”. Profile: Very low. Aperture outline: Pear-shape outline. Aperture rim: On a single plane conforming to the flat surface of encrusting algae. Exterior surface: Smooth, usually lacking epizoic growths. Translucence: Almost transparent, showing viscera. Colour: When live, the faintly horn-coloured shell is darkened by the visible viscera. Coloured rays: Two or three longitudinal rows of iridescent blue dashes .

 

Growth stage 3: juvenile.

Habitat: Laminaria fronds 3Pp flic.kr/p/Z4FxtK stipes 4Pp flic.kr/p/Z4Fx9M , and on 5Pp flic.kr/p/YNrZYJ and within 6Pp flic.kr/p/Z4FqqB holdfasts. Length: c. 2mm to c. 7mm. Height: Low, mean height 27% of length (Graham & Fretter,1947). Shape: Shallow saucer. Profile: Low, uninterrupted, streamlined 7Pp flic.kr/p/YLTpnd . Aperture outline: Oval, narrowest at anterior. Aperture rim: On a single plane conforming to the flat surface of Laminaria frond 8Pp flic.kr/p/Z4Fou2 . Those in holdfasts or depressions on stipes may have the rim curved up at the ends 9Pp flic.kr/p/Yss7so . Growth: Greatest at posterior, apex lost and anterior progressively removed, probably by resorption. Growth lines: horseshoe, open at anterior, in plan view. In side view, they slope downwards to where they end in the anterior quarter of shell. Most widely spaced at posterior 9Pp flic.kr/p/Yss7so . Thickness: very thin and fragile. Exterior surface: very smooth, no sculpture except fine growth lines 10Pp flic.kr/p/Z4FnSR , but less smooth with coarser growth lines if within a holdfast 9Pp flic.kr/p/Yss7so . Rarely, if ever, has any epibiotic growths. Translucence: almost transparent; body can usually be discerned through the shell 5Pp flic.kr/p/YNrZYJ . Colour: whitish, tinted horn to pale brown; partly due to the closely adhering, flimsy periostracum 8Pp flic.kr/p/Z4Fou2 . Coloured rays: two or three rows of iridescent blue/green hyphens/lines on 2mm and 3mm long shells 11Pp flic.kr/p/XQbnj8 ; about eight rows when 7mm long 12Pp flic.kr/p/YRn54i . Lines 0.1mm to 0.2mm wide. Occasionally, several red-brown rays among the blue ones 3Pp flic.kr/p/Z4FxtK . Interior: whitish, tinted horn to pale brown. Black, non-crystalline, colloidal particles underlie parts of the blue/green lines 13Pp flic.kr/p/YNKbDC . Sometimes, the horseshoe-shaped pedal retractor muscle-scar is visible14Pp flic.kr/p/XLDR8W .

 

Growth stage 4f, early adult on Laminaria frond.

Habitat: Laminaria fronds. Shell length: c. 7mm to c. 10mm. Height: raised, about 35% of length when 10mm long 15Pp flic.kr/p/YNKaz3 . Shape: dome. Profile: smoothly rounded, except for break in slope at anterior where new adult growth joins juvenile growth 15Pp flic.kr/p/YNKaz3 . Anterior steeper than posterior. Aperture outline: usually a broad oval 15Pp flic.kr/p/YNKaz3 , or almost circular 16Pp flic.kr/p/XLDNJ7 . Aperture rim: on a single plane conforming to the flat surface of Laminaria. Growth: growth commences at anterior. Adult growth forms a distinct skirt around the juvenile shell 15Pp flic.kr/p/YNKaz3 . Growth greater at posterior so the skirt is wider there. Growth lines: in plan view, now continuous around the whole shell on adult skirt. In side view, they slope down on the skirt towards the anterior, but are not cut off. Thickness: adult growth thicker and, sometimes, slight radial ribs develop on it. Exterior surface: very smooth, no sculpture except fine growth lines. Rarely has any epibiotic growths. Translucence: the brown, adult skirt is almost opaque 17Pp flic.kr/p/YNK8Wo , but the pedal-retractor muscle and, within the muscle outline, the blackish mantle and fine spray of black particles on the shell interior are discernible through the juvenile growth in good light 18Pp flic.kr/p/YNK81f . Colour: usually a stronger brown than on juveniles 18Pp flic.kr/p/YNK81f . Coloured rays: blue/green rays persist on juvenile growth, may extend onto new adult growth, but usually feeble 15Pp flic.kr/p/YNKaz3 or faint shadowy grey. Interior: juvenile area pale,translucent; adult skirt stronger brown. Increased number of black, colloidal particles under parts of the blue/green lines 19Pp flic.kr/p/Z4Y4Cv . Pedal retractor muscle-scar usually faint 16Pp flic.kr/p/XLDNJ7 .

 

Growth stage 5f, late adult on Laminaria frond.

Habitat: on Laminaria frond. Shell length: c. 11mm to c. 19mm.

Height: up to 50%, or more, of length. Shape: conoid, steeper at anterior, often resembles a Phrygian cap 20Pp flic.kr/p/Z4Y3uZ . Profile: posterior a long smooth convex curve, anterior a short and steep concave curve with break of slope where juvenile growth meets adult growth, and, on two year old individuals, where first year adult growth meets second year growth 21Pp .https://flic.kr/p/Z51JLg Aperture outline: a broad oval 22Pp flic.kr/p/Z51FP4 , sometimes approaching a circle 21Pp flic.kr/p/Z51JLg . Aperture rim: on a single plane conforming to the flat surface of Laminaria frond. Growth: wide skirt of adult growth all around shell makes up the majority of it. Posterior growth still exceeds anterior growth, but less markedly. Growth lines: in plan view, continuous around the whole shell on adult skirt. Thickness: increases only slightly. Exterior surface: smooth, usually with no epibiotic growth, or a little 20Pp flic.kr/p/Z4Y3uZ . Translucence: less than on juveniles, but can be sufficient for viscera to be discerned 22Pp flic.kr/p/Z51FP4 Colour: usually dark brown on live shells 21Pp flic.kr/p/Z51JLg . Coloured rays: blue lines persist on the juvenile growth and may continue on adult growth for part 21Pp flic.kr/p/Z51JLg or all 22Pp flic.kr/p/Z51FP4 of the way to the posterior edge, but often continuing as faint shadowy grey lines 21Pp flic.kr/p/Z51JLg . Rarely in Britain, bright blue lines continue on adult growth all around the shell 23Pp flic.kr/p/YRpuUg . Interior: variable colour, often blackish, with some iridescence 21Pp flic.kr/p/Z51JLg . Muscle scars vary in distinctness.

 

Growth stages 4s & 5s, adults on Laminaria stipe.

Habitat: Bowl-shape pit eaten into side of Laminaria stipe 24Pp flic.kr/p/YsLJPW & 25pp flic.kr/p/YNN5QC . Shell length: c.7mm to 10mm (4s) and c.11mm to 19mm (5s). Height: Variable, c.30% of length. Shape: Conoid, less steep than on frond dwellers because adult skirt flares laterally. Skirt forms majority of shell at stage 5 26pp flic.kr/p/YMdFeA . Profile: Posterior is two smooth convex curves with a very distinct break of slope between them. Anterior is convex on juvenile growth and straight on adult skirt, with a break of slope where the two parts meet. Aperture outline: A broad oval, sometimes approaching a circle. Aperture rim: Strongly curved up from the horizontal at the ends. Growth: Wide skirt of adult growth all around shell makes up the majority of it by stage 5. Posterior growth exceeds anterior growth.

Growth lines: In plan view, continuous around the whole shell on adult skirt. Thickness: Increased on both juvenile and adult growth by mantle secretion over the whole of the interior. Exterior surface: Smooth, often with no epibiotic growth, but some shells have small amounts, including algae 27Pp flic.kr/p/YRpsdK . Translucence: Adult growth opaque; juvenile growth may retain some translucence. Colour: Usually dark brown on live shells. Coloured rays: Blue lines persist on the juvenile growth and may continue on adult growth for part or all of the way to the posterior edge. Red-brown radiating lines are frequent, often alternating with the blue lines 26Pp flic.kr/p/YMdFeA . Interior: variable colour, often blackish or dark brown, with some iridescence. Muscle scars vary in distinctness; occasionally, there are a clearly marked, white mantle-attachment-scar, a distinct pedal-retractor-muscle scar and, within the muscle scar, a silky-white amphora mark 26Pp flic.kr/p/YMdFeA .

 

Growth stages 4h& 5h, adults within Laminaria holdfast.

Habitat: Bowl shaped cavity eaten into base of stipe within Laminaria holdfast 28Pp flic.kr/p/YRprJZ & 29Pp flic.kr/p/YsLEbY . Shell length: c.7mm to 10mm (4h) and c.11mm to 19mm, exceptionally 30mm (5h) 29.1Pp flic.kr/p/259hPe4 & 29.2Pp flic.kr/p/23McN7H .

Height: Mean height is 34% of length, varies17% to 57%. Shape: Wide variety of distorted conoids 30Pp flic.kr/p/YRpowg . Profile: very varied, but anterior steeper and shorter than posterior. Changes of gradient indicate change from juvenile to adult growth and, probably, annual pauses in growth. Aperture outline: a broad oval, sometimes approaching a circle 31Pp flic.kr/p/Z54JED . Aperture rim: Strongly curved up from the horizontal at the ends 28Pp flic.kr/p/YRprJZ & 32Pp flic.kr/p/YsPCqh . Growth: Wide skirt of adult growth all around shell makes up the majority of it by stage 5 33Pp flic.kr/p/Z54BWi . Posterior growth exceeds anterior growth. Growth lines: In plan view, lines are continuous around the whole shell on the adult skirt, but form tilted horseshoes on juvenile growth 34Pp flic.kr/p/YsPzTo . Thickness:Increased on both juvenile and adult growth by mantle secretion over the whole of the interior. Exterior surface: less smooth than on frond and stipe dwellers 35Pp flic.kr/p/YMgx9G and is very often partly 36Pp flic.kr/p/XQh5Kp or completely 37Pp flic.kr/p/XQh5nv coated with epizoic animals such as barnacles, bryozoa and tube worms. Smoother juvenile growth usually stays free of epizoa.

Translucence: Adult growth opaque 38Pp flic.kr/p/YMgFdh . Colour: Brown or dark brown.

Coloured rays: Blue lines persist on the juvenile growth, unless eroded 31Pp flic.kr/p/Z54JED and may, occasionally, continue on adult growth for part or all of the way to the posterior edge 35Pp flic.kr/p/YMgx9G but the blue is often less vibrant on the thicker adult growth. Red-brown radiating lines are frequent, often alternating with the blue lines 33Pp flic.kr/p/Z54BWi or replacing them 31Pp flic.kr/p/Z54JED & 39Pp flic.kr/p/Z54sFe . The lines are often concealed under epizoic growths. Interior: Varies, often partly iridescent 37Pp flic.kr/p/XQh5nv . Often the peripheral zone is brown, and the area within the pedal-retractor-muscle scar is grey or blackish 39Pp flic.kr/p/Z54sFe . The distinctness of the p-r-m scar, and of the mantle-attachment scar, varies from very clearly defined 36Pp flic.kr/p/XQh5Kp to indiscernible 35Pp flic.kr/p/YMgx9G . Usually, from the interior, any exterior blue lines hidden but, occasionally, they are faintly visible 33Pp flic.kr/p/Z54BWi .

 

Stranded shells

The layer of zig-zag lamellae of calcite that iridesces the blue rays is close to the surface and often abraded from beachworn shells, which consequently often lack rays 40Pp flic.kr/p/YNQK3W Occasionally the rays are eroded while live 31Pp flic.kr/p/Z54JED .

 

Shell Descriptions (Norway)

The following is based mainly on information and images from the Egersund area in southern Norway, and on Kain & Svendsen (1969). Images from other areas of Norway might require revision of this account. There are several differences in appearance and behaviour from those in Britain.

No images are available of newly settled juveniles under 2mm length (Growth Stage 2) on encrusting red calcareous algae (usual habitat in Britain), but an early adult (GS4) was photographed on calcareous algae 41Pp flic.kr/p/XAavbr . Juveniles (GS3) were observed on sublittoral fronds of Laminaria hyperborea 42Pp flic.kr/p/YQa8Xp and L. saccharina 43Pp flic.kr/p/YdW7zA . They had nearly-transparent, blue-rayed, low, smooth, streamlined shells, cut way at the anterior, similar to British examples. Early adults (GS4), as in Britain, cease anterior shell-loss and commence thicker growth all around the perimeter, and the anterior rises to form a dome 44Pp flic.kr/p/YdW49C . But, there is a marked difference from Britain because the new adult growth usually has blue rays, as vivid as on the juvenile, now on the anterior as well as the posterior 45Pp flic.kr/p/YyPJ7y . Those that survive as later-adults (GS5f) on fronds continue to have blue rays all around the shell as it grows 46Pp flic.kr/p/YBsbVD , and a few gain sufficient height to approximate to a Phrygian cap in profile 47Pp flic.kr/p/YBsanD & 48Pp flic.kr/p/Xy66BJ . A minority live on stipes 49Pp flic.kr/p/YyPF9u almost always on the top 10cm, including the junction of stipe with frond 50Pp flic.kr/p/XAamFR . Photographs viewed showed juveniles (GS3) and early adults (GS4) in pits that sometimes coalesce 51Pp flic.kr/p/YBs7iH . The shell-forms on stipes (GS3s & 4s) were similar to those on fronds, but they differed by usually lacking any, or many, blue rays on the anterior 52Pp flic.kr/p/XAajp6 and so resembled British specimens. Not a single distorted holdfast-dweller (GS5h), nor a vacant P. pellucida pit in a holdfast, was discovered in large samples from exposed and sheltered sites in Espegrend, S.W. Norway and Tromsö, N. Norway, and it appears that this form is absent from Norway (Kain & Svendsen,1969) .

 

GLOSSARY

 

afferent (adj. of vessel) = carrying blood etc. towards an organ.

aperture = mouth of gastropod shell; outlet for head and foot.

apex (definition for this account) = position of the larval protoconch (see summit).

branchial (adj.) = of or relating to gills (branchiae).

cephalic = (adj.) of or on the head.

cnidocytes = explosive stinging cells of hydroids, jellyfish, sea anemones etc. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cnidocyte

ctenidium = comb-like molluscan gill; usually an axis with a row of filaments either side.

 

efferent (adj. of vessel) = carrying blood etc. away from an organ.

ELWS = extreme low water spring tide (usually near March and September equinoxes).

  

epizoic (of a plant or animal) = growing or living non-parasitically on the exterior of a living animal.

 

GS1, GS2 etc. = Growth Stage 1 (planktonic veliger larva), Growth Stage 2 (newly settled juvenile) etc.

 

GS5f = Growth Stage 5 (late adult) living on Laminaria frond.

GS5h = Growth Stage 5 (late adult) living in Laminaria holdfast.

GS5s= Growth Stage 5 (late adult) living on Laminaria stipe.

 

haemocoel = system of interconnected spaces (sinuses) containing blood within body of a mollusc.

 

holdfast = rootlike in appearance, but not in function, tendrils attaching seaweed to the substrate. (a.k.a. hapteron).

mantle = sheet of tissue that secretes the shell and forms a cavity for the gill in most marine molluscs.

 

MLWS = mean low water spring tide level (mean level reached by lowest low tides for a few days every fortnight; Laminaria or Coralline zone on rocky coasts).

 

osphradium (pl. osphradia) = organ for testing water quality (chemical and/or for particles) usually near approach of inhalant current to ctenidium or pallial gills. Structure varied; including comblike, papillate or ribbing.

 

pallial (adj.) = of, relating to, or produced by the mantle (pallium).

periostracum = thin horny layer of chitinous material often coating shells.

phylogenetic (of development) = of change due to genetic make up.

resorb = absorb again that which was previously produced.

resorption = the process of absorbing again that which was previously produced.

 

stipe = stem of some brown seaweeds that supports the fronds and may contain a core of cells that transports sugars and nutrients within the alga.

 

summit (definition for this account) = highest point of the shell above the substrate (see apex).

 

trochophore = spherical or pear-shaped larva that moves with aid of girdle of cilia that beat to cause rotation. Stage preceding veliger, passed within gastropod egg in most spp. but free in plankton for patellid limpets, most Trochidae and Tricolia pullus, and, with no veliger, chitons.

 

veliger = shelled larva of marine gastropod or bivalve mollusc which feeds and swims by beating cilia of a velum (small on P. pellucida).

 

Equestrienne (At the Cirque Fernando) Date:

1887/88

Artist:

Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec

French, 1864-1901

 

Thinly and rapidly painted, Equestrienne (At the Cirque Fernando) (1887-88) has the confident, improvisational quality of a drawing. Its subject is the Circus Fernando, one of the first permanent circuses in Paris, which provided rich inspiration to many artists, both before and after Toulouse-Lautrec portrayed it. This teaching packet includes an essay, discussion questions, activity ideas, a glossary, and an image of the artwork.

 

Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec enjoyed breaking the rules. When he came across an idea that interested him, he tried it—re- gardless of whether it was acceptable or not. Toulouse-Lautrec loved life and took inspiration from everything he came across. As a young man, he became interested in the circus and in circus performers, and when a fellow artist showed him how to look at subjects as if they were cut off or “cropped” like a photograph, he took up that idea as well. Painted when he was only 24 years old, Equestrienne (At the Circus Fernando) became one of his most well-known works.

 

When Henri was 17 years old, he decided to pursue a career as an artist, not something a young man from an aristocratic family normally chose at that time. His parents, realizing that their son would never be able to have many opportunities that would make him happy, agreed to find him a school that they felt would be appropriate for him. Through his uncle’s contacts, Henri began to frequent the atelier of a well-known Parisian artist, René Princeteau, to study with other aspiring art students. This was how Henri was allowed to begin a life of his own in Paris.

About a year later, the Toulouse-Lautrecs moved Henri to the atelier of another Parisian painter, Léon Bonnat, a well-known, but extremely conventional, society painter. The affluent residents of Paris sought after Bonnat’s paintings, and Henri’s parents probably switched his studies there for social rather than artistic reasons.

Bonnat was not sympathetic to Henri, but his studio was located in a section of Paris called Montmartre and Henri traveled there every day by horse-drawn cab. Montmartre

was very different from the neighborhood around the posh hotel in which he lived, and Henri’s studies there served as his introduction into a very different kind of world, a world that he quickly came to love. For the first time in his life Henri had the freedom to do what he wanted to do when he wanted to do

it. In Montmartre, Henri met and became friends with fellow students who introduced him to more avant-garde artists working in Paris at the time. Henri was fascinated by their work and their lives, and soon lived among them, adopting not only their artistic techniques, but their lifestyle as well.

 

In the 1880’s artists began to populate Montmartre because they were looking for cheap places to live and work. Situated on a steep hill that overlooked the city of Paris, the quarter became known not only for its artists and writers and the dance halls and cafés they frequented, but for its more risqué residents such as its prostitutes and thieves. An intoxicating feeling of freedom pervaded the atmosphere and even bour- geois residents of Paris came to Montmartre in the evenings to experience a bit of the Bohemian life. This lifestyle was quite different from the life of privilege to which Henri was accustomed. While enjoying the freedom life in Montmartre brought him, Henri was always aware of his family’s position and initially careful not to mix his two worlds.

Henri himself moved to Montmartre in the fall of 1884 when he was 20 years old. Now he finally lived in the neighborhood in which he had worked (and played) for the past two years. While Henri was serious about his work as an artist, and now studied at Corman’s atelier, he was equally committed to hav- ing fun. Costume parties were popular at this time and there are many photographs of Henri and his friends dressed up as Gypsy dancers, or in traditional Japanese or Spanish attire.

Cafés were the centers of life in Montmartre. Artists met there to eat and drink, discuss art, and exhibit their work. Students like Henri could not only meet fellow students, but could be close to revered, older artists such as Edgar Degas, Claude Monet, or Auguste Renoir, each of whom frequented the cafés as well. Toulouse-Lautrec so admired Degas that he would pay homage to him all his life.

One of the most popular café proprietors was the singer and social activist Aristide Bruant. His café, Le Mirliton (which means toy whistle or trivial comic verse), was a favorite of Henri and his friends. Bruant in turn liked his art and often interrupted his singing when Henri and his entourage arrived, saying, “Silence, Messieurs, here’s the great painter Toulouse- Lautrec with a friend...” Nightclubs and dance halls where the popular quadrille was performed also were filled with fun-seeking patrons. The quadrille could be performed by anyone who wanted to dance, and customers especially wanted to see the chahut or can-can section in which the women kicked their legs high into the air, revealing their underwear. Some

of the most famous quadrille dancers, like La Goulue or Jane Avril, were subsequently immortalized in Toulouse-Lautec’s paintings and posters.

 

Circuses were another form of popular entertainment and Paris had three permanent ones. Just as people of all classes frequented the cafés and dance halls of Montmartre, so too did they attend performances at Le Cirque Fernando (the Fernando Circus) which was located in Montmartre near Le Mirliton. Henri, whose father’s passion for horses pervaded his childhood, was attracted to the equestrian acts for which this particular circus was known, in addition to its convenient location. He attended rehearsals and, with his burgeoning eye for detail and his keen ability to render objects in motion, captured the essence of watching the bareback rider and her horse being put through their paces in Equestrienne (At the Circus Fernando), probably painted in 1888. The painting was one of about six works Toulouse-Lautrec painted dealing with circus themes between 1888 and 1891. After falling ill in 1899, he would return to circus themes again, making over 50 draw- ings from memory of the people and animals he had observed so well.

In Equestrienne (At the Circus Fernando), the subjects are not glamorous; instead, the artist’s tight focus on the ringmaster and rider and her horse in the background captures both

their relationship and the sense of their being in motion. The large rump of the horse, its raised hind leg, in addition to the billowing skirt of the rider, suggest that the horse is moving at

a fast clip around the ring. Also in the ring are clowns engaged in their own rehearsal, uninvolved with the equestrian duo. A number of well-dressed spectators are present, but perhaps because it is a rehearsal, the performers look at each other and don’t seem interested in playing to the audience. The few men in audience, those whose eyes can be seen, aren’t looking at the scantily dressed rider, but seem to gaze at some elements of the rehearsal outside of the painting’s space.

The close-up view ironically removes the viewer from the spectacular nature of a circus performance and concentrates his or her gaze instead on the details of the performers’ inter- actions. The faces of the rider and ringmaster evoke a complex relationship based on power and on mastering the effort to perform correctly. The artist’s tight lens also allows one to notice the garish color of the rider’s makeup and costumes as well as the stolid nature of the horse’s anatomy, playing against what is usually portrayed as glamorous and exciting.

As a frequent visitor to Le Cirque Fernando, Henri knew the ringmaster he depicted, the Monsieur Loyal, but it is thought his friend Suzanne Valadon, a painter and former circus per- former, modeled for the figure of the bareback rider 16. At this time, Valadon was an artist’s model and was also the mother of the young Maurice Utrillo, who would become a well-known French painter of the next generation.

This was written quickly on pulp first-grader penmanship pad with sumi ink and homemade pen.

 

There has never been an accurate glossary of the tools and techniques involved in ancient Egyptian ink script practicalities, and nobody with the necessary skills to compile it has attempted to do so; as this would require adequate knowledge of 1. the ancient language (use and arrangement of symbols), 2. paleographic archaeology (style chronology and technical construction of materials), 3. and fine arts experience (calligraphy and cartooning). With a sound and cogent list of disambiguations, the most important obstacles to a solid understanding of the mechanics of Egyptian penmanship could be easily removed. Most of these obstacles have not been simply from a lack of information, but the result of semantic polarization by modern culture. But, most of the misconceptions that have hindered inquiry start to unravel as we inspect the new proliferation of high resolution photographs of papyri that were not available just a few years ago. It is my supposition that as more people with the skill set described above emerge, curiosity about the particulars of Egyptian handwriting will enjoy a noticeable increase. Thus, with such information as I have been able to uncover, I shall endeavor to compile a brief but hopefully useful list of distinctions. Here are a few points...

 

Examples:

 

1. linear script: small script found in coffins and some books using a brush with some evident movement of the elbow

2. semi-cursive script: similar to linear, but written by a carved calamus with the fingers and limited movement of the arm (wrist action)

3. semi-hieratic script: a more deliberately artistic style that combines semi-cursive glyphs with certain easily recognized hieratic ones

--These scripts are similar, but can have important technical differences. Many texts include a mixture.

 

1. oval tube nib: the typical ancient small diameter wicker marker used for the writing of high expression hieratic and cursive hieroglyphs in ink

2. fawn's foot nib: an advanced scribe's tool used in the creation of recitation texts in a House of Life, such as the Book of the Dead

3. pigeon beak nib: the classic arced point of a reed pen for Near Eastern languages, such as that of Phragmites or Arundo used by moderns

--These pens are similar, but interact with ink and surface differently. The oval nib acts more smoothly, somewhat like a Japanese carpenter's pen.

 

1. pulled script: an inked orthography where the fingers form most of the components of any symbol by pulling toward the body, as with Roman

2. pushed script: an inked orthography where the fingers form most of the components of any symbol by pushing away from the body, as with Arabic

3. sketched script: an inked orthography which combines numerous pulled and pushed elements, as with representative Egyptian and Mayan

--Since the semi-cursive hieroglyphic script is not composed of abstract symbols, it requires a certain amount of acquirable cartooning skill.

 

1. ham fist: a cramped manual position for calligraphy, where the pen is supported by the middle metacarpal of the middle finger

2. modern hand: a satisfactory manual position for ordinary chirography, where the nib is guided under the final knuckle of the middle finger

3. flourishing posture: a careful manual position with good control, where the nib is guided by the tip of the middle finger

--Many ancient depictions are ambiguous or imprecise, but some more clearly show Thoth or a scribe with an extended middle finger.

 

1. rush: a pithy plant stem that makes good stock for an absorbent writing tool, somewhat like a modern hard felt calligraphy marker

2. reed: a soft hollow plant stem that is flexible enough to conduct ink both along the surface and through its internal fibers, as well

3. cane: a hard hollow plant stem that permits the construction of a writing quill that conducts ink along channels on its exterior

--Ancient Egyptian scribes generally used rush. With the Persians, reed came into use for foreign scripts. Later, harder pens of cane became standard.

 

1: translucent brownish white rhinophores.

2: oral tentacles, half length of rhinophores, set back from edge of head.

3: buccal mass.

4: circum-oesophageal nerve ring with internal black eyes.

Length 4 mm, Mersey Estuary, England, January 2011.

Full SPECIES DESCRIPTION BELOW

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Tergipes tergipes (Forsskål, 1775).

 

Current taxonomy;

World Register of Marine Species www.marinespecies.org/aphia.php?p=taxdetails&id=141641

Synonyms: Limax tergipes Forsskål, 1775; Eolidia despecta G. Johnston, 1835.

 

GLOSSARY BELOW

 

Description

Tergipes tergipes is a minute species up to 7 mm, rarely 8 mm, long when fully grown; most finds are 5 mm or less. Differences from its larger relatives in arrangement of the digestive gland and cerata, and the disproportionately large cerata and genital opening, probably relate to its small size. The body is translucent white revealing white viscera such as the buccal mass, circum-oesophageal nerve ring with internal black eyes fig. 01 flic.kr/p/2nJbBGL and, when adult, spheroid ovotestes fig. 02 flic.kr/p/2nJcE2L & fig. 05 flic.kr/p/2nJ5z4q . The left digestive gland is often clearly visible as a brown or greenish dorsal zigzag band fig. 02 flic.kr/p/2nJcE2L & fig. 03 flic.kr/p/2nJ5z4R but it may be faint fig. 04 flic.kr/p/2nJasoa . A disproportionately large hermaphrodite genital opening protrudes from the right side behind the rhinophore fig. 02 flic.kr/p/2nJcE2L & fig. 09 flic.kr/p/2nJaskV (many publications replicate the unintended mirror image in Alder & Hancock showing it on the left, despite their note about the error). Some specimens have reddish brown staining on the rhinophores extending forwards onto the oral tentacles and backwards to the first ceras, and along the flanks below the cerata fig. 04 flic.kr/p/2nJasoa & fig. 05 flic.kr/p/2nJ5z4q , but on many it is faint or absent.

There are up to four, rarely five, single, relatively large cerata on each side of the body fig. 02 flic.kr/p/2nJcE2L & fig. 06 flic.kr/p/2nJasnP . The first ceras on each side is opposite the other; the rest alternate in position. The short, brown, right digestive gland goes only to the first ceras on the right. The left digestive gland goes to the first and second cerata on the left and then zigzags left and right to cerata on either side fig. 06 flic.kr/p/2nJasnP & fig. 07 flic.kr/p/2nJc1B4 . The cerata are translucent white revealing the pale brown or greenish digestive gland granulated with a darker shade if recently fed. The transparent apex of each ceras contains a relatively large, opaque white cnidosac fig. 08 flic.kr/p/2nJc1Ac which is obscured on some specimens by a ring of reddish brown pigment fig. 05 flic.kr/p/2nJ5z4q & fig. 07 flic.kr/p/2nJc1B4 .

The smooth, tapering, translucent rhinophores are white faintly tinted brownish fig. 01 flic.kr/p/2nJbBGL and sometimes with reddish brown pigment lines fig. 05 flic.kr/p/2nJ5z4q & fig. 07 flic.kr/p/2nJc1B4 . They are twice as long as the oral tentacles and usually held spread wide.

Dorsally, the front margin of the head is rounded with the bases of the translucent white oral tentacles set back from edge fig. 01 flic.kr/p/2nJbBGL , and the opaque white buccal mass is visible through the almost transparent flesh. Ventrally, the head has a circular mouth with a small cleft in the lips fig. 09 flic.kr/p/2nJaskV , fig. 10 flic.kr/p/2nJasku & fig. 11 flic.kr/p/2nJask9 . The translucent white foot is much narrower than the body. It is broadest at its anterior edge from which it narrows rapidly to form a triangular propodium.

 

Key identification features

Tergipes tergipes

1) Smooth slender cerata arranged singly fig. 02 flic.kr/p/2nJcE2L .

2) Brown digestive gland zigzags between cerata fig. 06 flic.kr/p/2nJasnP .

3) Small, usually 5 mm or less long, rarely 8 mm.

 

Similar species

Eubranchus exiguus (Alder & Hancock, 1848)

1) Urn shape cerata able to expand balloon-like fig. 12 flic.kr/p/2nJbJiG arranged in groups of 1-3.

2) Olive or brown blotches on body; no zigzag digestive gland fig. 13 flic.kr/p/2nJc1yd .

3) Similar size to T. tergipes; frequently 4 – 6 mm long.

Often occurs in company with T. tergipes, but usually less numerous. Spawn masses are very similar so, although a good indication of presence of the species, not a reliable way to differentiate them in absence of adults.

 

Habits and ecology

T. tergipes lives on the lower shore and sublittorally to 20 m. It is found on hydroids, especially Obelia dichotoma growing on stones and O. geniculata on Laminaria fronds, and on many other hydroids on piers, floating structures and ships; even on isolated small stones in pools on mud. Its zigzag digestive gland resembles the stems and stolons of O. geniculata. It favours shores with moderate wave exposure or shelter, including estuaries down to 10‰ salinity fig. 14 flic.kr/p/2nJbJig .

It is a simultaneous hermaphrodite and can reach maturity and develop spheroid ovotestes when 2.5 mm long fig. 03 flic.kr/p/2nJ5z4R . Spherical or kidney-shape transparent spawn masses fig. 15 flic.kr/p/2nJ5yTL , each containing up to about a hundred white ova, are produced throughout the year. Spawn masses on hydroid are easier to detect, and much more numerous, than adults fig. 16 flic.kr/p/2nJc1oU . After hatching, the short veliger stage lasts about a week before metamorphosis. Individuals mature in five weeks, with the ovotestes developed in 2.5 mm long specimens, so there are many generations each year.

 

Distribution and status

T. tergipes occupies Atlantic coasts from Iceland and Norway to eastern U.S.A. (Cámara et al., 2014) fig. 17 flic.kr/p/2nJas8A and to Spain, and the Mediterranean. GBIF map www.gbif.org/species/2292363 .

It is common all round Britain and Ireland, but overlooked as its small size requires inspection of hydroids under magnification. Over 100 were found on the hydroids on a single Laminaria frond (IFS, June, 1976, Orkney) and densities of 500 /m² have been recorded (Swennen, 1959, Netherlands, in Thompson & Brown 1984). NBN UK map species.nbnatlas.org/species/NHMSYS0021056159 .

 

Acknowledgements

For use of an image I thank Jeff Goddard.

 

References and links

Alder, J. & Hancock, A. 1845-1855. A monograph of the British nudibranchiate mollusca. London, Ray Society. Fam. 3 Pl. 36. www.biodiversitylibrary.org/item/131598#page/432/mode/1up

 

Cámara, S., Carmona, L., Cella, K., Ekimova, I., Martynov, A. and Cervera, J.L. 2014. Tergipes tergipes (Forsskål, 1775) (Gastropoda: Nudibranchia) is an amphiatlantic species. J. Mollus. Stud. 80(5): 642-646. academic.oup.com/mollus/article/80/5/642/1035173

 

Swennen, C. 1959. The Netherlands coastal waters as an environment for Nudibranchia. Basteria 23: 56-62.

 

Thompson, T.E. & Brown, G.H. 1984. Biology of opisthobranch molluscs 2. London, Ray Society.

 

Glossary

cerata = (sing. ceras) lobes on dorsum of Fionoidea and some other seaslugs.

 

circum-oesophageal nerve ring = ganglia-bearing nerve cord (the ‘brain’) which encircles the oesophagus in gastropods.

 

cnidocytes = explosive stinging cells of Cnidaria. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cnidocyte

 

cnidosac = storage capsule at tips of cerata of Fionoidea for ingested unexploded cnidocytes.

 

digestive gland = organ in gastropods which acts like liver and pancreas in mammals to absorb food.

 

ganglia = (sing. ganglion) knots containing sensory cell bodies on a nerve cord, which conducts impulses to innervate organs of the body.

 

LWST = low water spring tide; two periods of a few days each month when tide falls lowest.

 

oesophagus = tube from mouth to stomach.

ovotestis = (pl. ovotestes) hermaphrodite organ serving as both ovary and testis.

 

propodium = anterior portion of gastropod foot. (adj. propodial).

rhinophores = chemo-receptor tentacles on top of head of nudibranch.

 

stolon = stemlike runner of colonial hydroids attaching the colony to the substrate.

 

veliger = shelled larva of marine gastropod or bivalve mollusc which moves by action of cilia on a velum (bilobed flap). Stage may be passed in plankton or within liquid-filled egg-capsule.

   

Adult with fully developed, cylindrical, digitiform rhinophores (1) and insignificant anterior ribs. Size when fully developed varies between individuals.

Length 3.7 mm. North Anglesey, Wales. 2013.

 

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Limapontia senestra (Quatrefages, 1844).

 

Current taxonomy; World Register of Marine Species www.marinespecies.org/aphia.php?p=taxdetails&id=140231

Synonyms: Actaeonia senestra Quatrefages, 1844; Actaeonia corrugata Alder & Hancock, 1848; Cenia cocksi Alder & Hancock, 1848.

GLOSSARY below.

 

Description

L. senestra grows up to 6 mm long. The smooth body has no tubercles but is occasionally wrinkled, which gave rise to the synonymous A. corrugata of A&H, 1848 (fig. 1 flic.kr/p/2maFS2M ). The body is black (fig. 1 flic.kr/p/2maFS2M ) or brown (fig. 2 flic.kr/p/2maCbHV ) and occasionally translucent, showing the colours of the internal organs (fig. 3 flic.kr/p/2maFS2g & fig. 24 flic.kr/p/2mdjDmv ). There is often a small, pale greyish or yellowish mark on the dorsum and two (fig. 4 flic.kr/p/2maFS21 ) or more marks (fig. 5 flic.kr/p/2maFS1K ), sometimes merging into a line (fig. 6 flic.kr/p/2maHkYc ), on each flank, or the marks may be obscure/absent (fig. 7 flic.kr/p/2maFS1j ). Quincunx pattern of five dots is regarded as typical (fig. 4 flic.kr/p/2maFS21 ). There may also be scattered opaque white flecks, especially on the protruding metapodium (tail) (fig. 4 flic.kr/p/2maFS21 ) and edge of the foot (fig. 3 flic.kr/p/2maFS2g ).

The anus is a short distance behind the mid-point of the body, but is difficult to see when not defecating, unless the specimen is translucent (fig. 24 flic.kr/p/2mdjDmv ). The yellow-orange ovotestes and dark green digestive gland can be seen through the translucent foot (fig. 8 flic.kr/p/2maFS14 ) or occasionally translucent body (fig. 24 flic.kr/p/2mdjDmv ). The penis is white with a sharp, curved stylet at the tip (fig. 9 flic.kr/p/2maCbFL ). There is a small swelling over the bursa copulatrix (fig. 10 flic.kr/p/2maDaUW ).

The head can extend forwards to almost horizontal, or contract to vertical (fig. 11 flic.kr/p/2maFRYW ). It has a slit at the anterior for holding filaments of alga while feeding (fig. 12 flic.kr/p/2maFRYA ). There is a medial band of black or brown, varying in intensity with extension. The rhinophores and eye patches are translucent whitish with varying amounts of opaque white flecking (fig. 12 flic.kr/p/2maFRYA ). When more than 2 mm long, L. senestra has spatulate rhinophores (fig. 1 flic.kr/p/2maFS2M ). They become cylindrical, digitiform only when fully developed (fig. 13 flic.kr/p/2maHkWD ); size when this is achieved varies between individuals. “Ridges run forwards from the rhinophores to the front of the head” (Eliot, 1910). They are shown on Eliot’s image and more prominently in the original species description by Quatrefages (1844) who called them thick ridges, “crêtes épaisses” (fig. 15 flic.kr/p/2maym8f ). (Roginskaya, 2000, opined that Quatrefages’ image was of an abnormal specimen). The ridges are usually more prominent on young adults (fig. 1 flic.kr/p/2maFS2M ) than those with fully developed digitiform rhinophores (fig. 2 flic.kr/p/2maCbHV & fig. 16 flic.kr/p/2maCbEd ). The ridge prominence varies on individuals and is often slight or absent when an animal is not fully extended (fig. 11 flic.kr/p/2maFRYW ). Rhinophores start to develop when L. senestra is about 1.5 mm long (fig. 12 flic.kr/p/2maFRYA & fig. 3 flic.kr/p/2maFS2g ). Smaller early juveniles have low ridges but no rhinophores (fig. 14 flic.kr/p/2maDaSM ) and are easily mistaken for L. capitata or L. depressa.

The anterior of the foot is concave centrally and slightly swollen laterally but has no propodial tentacles or extensions (fig. 10 flic.kr/p/2maDaUW ). Apart from opaque white flecks around the periphery, the sole is translucent showing the colours of viscera (fig. 8 flic.kr/p/2maFS14 ). The extended pale metapodium is about 13-18.5% of the fully extended slug’s length (fig. 4 flic.kr/p/2maFS21 ); shorter than on L. capitata (c. 19-25%) and longer than the negligible one on L. depressa.

 

Key identification features

Limapontia senestra

1) Spatulate rhinophores on head when 2 mm long or larger, with or without anterior ridge, becoming cylindrical digitiform when fully developed (fig. 13 flic.kr/p/2maHkWD ). Juveniles have only ridges above the eyes (fig. 14 flic.kr/p/2maDaSM ) or slightly developed rhinophores and are easily mistaken for L. capitata or L. depressa.

2) Extended pale metapodium (tail) is about 13-18.5% of extended body length (fig. 4 flic.kr/p/2maFS21 ).

3) Often a small pale dorsal spot and lateral spots form a quincunx or similar; missing on translucent specimens with visible pale viscera (fig. 24 flic.kr/p/2mdjDmv ).

4) Eye patches and rhinophores whitish.

5) Anus a short distance behind midpoint of body (difficult to see when not defecating).

6) Full salinity, lagoons perhaps with salinity c. 20‰, and rock pools up to MHW on exposed coasts.

  

Similar species

Limapontia depressa Alder & Hancock, 1862 (fig. 17 flic.kr/p/2maHkVw )

1) No digitiform rhinophores but many have raised ribs/sharp edges to recessed eye-area.

2) Pale metapodium (tail) absent or negligible.

3) Often very small, random, light freckles but no distinct, pale, central mark on dorsum.

4) Pale eye patches.

5) Dorsal anus close to posterior.

6) On saltings with very low salinity, 3‰, to fully marine salinity (though slow to adapt to change in salinity). Sublittoral in inner Baltic.

 

Limapontia capitata (O. F. Müller, 1774) (fig. 18 flic.kr/p/2maym6X )

1) Rhinophoral crest above each eye, no digitiform rhinophore.

2) Substantial pale metapodium (tail) c. 19-25% of extended body length.

3) Usually a large pale mark on the dorsum; visible pale viscera in translucent L. senestra (fig. 24 flic.kr/p/2mdjDmv ) and faded patch on some L. depressa can be mistaken for the dorsal mark of L. capitata.

4) Eye areas and head-crests whitish.

5) Anus a short distance behind midpoint of body.

6) Sublittoral and all levels of the shore in pools and moist positions. Usually on Cladophora attached to hard substrate. Optimum salinity 30‰, can survive 5 to over 40‰, but sustainable population improbable below 10‰, the lower limit for spawning.

 

Ecology and behaviour

In Britain, L. senestra is found on its food algae, Cladophora spp. ( fig. 19 flic.kr/p/2maFRWm ), and sometimes on other nearby filamentous species (fig. 20 flic.kr/p/2maDaMS ), in shaded positions and in rock pools. In the Barents and White Seas, it is frequently on Acrosiphonia (Roginskaya, 200). It lives in the shallow sublittoral and on shores with wave exposure varying from sheltered lagoons to pools on exposed rocks (fig. 21 flic.kr/p/2maDaGb ). It is usually found in full marine salinity often on exposed coasts in pools at MHW. It lives in the Fleet lagoon, Dorset, at possibly c. 20‰ salinity (Kluijver et al.) (fig. 16 flic.kr/p/2maCbEd ), but most of the Fleet has fully saline conditions (JNCC).

L. senestra consumes Cladophora spp. by holding a filament vertically in a groove at the front of its head (fig. 12 flic.kr/p/2maFRYA ) while it punctures it and sucks the cytoplasm from, preferentially, the terminal cells leaving them colourless (fig. 22 flic.kr/p/2maHkBk ). Its single row of radular teeth, adapted to only slitting and cutting, restricts L. senestra to suctorial feeding. The leading tooth is used to puncture algal cell walls and the newer, unused teeth function as a spear shaft. Worn out older teeth are retained in an ascus sac (Thompson, 1976).

Cladophora spp. have large, coenocytic, multinucleate cells (fig. 19 flic.kr/p/2maFRWm ) so there are few internal cell walls subdividing the cytoplasm, which is consequently easily extracted by suction. ’Enteromorpha’, currently genus Ulva, is sometimes mentioned as a food alga (Miller, 1962 and Hayward & Ryland, 2009) but, though it is often found on or near filamentous spp. of Ulva, this is unlikely to be eaten as all species in the order Ulvales, having uninucleate cells (Wichard et al. 2015), are not coenocytic, so unsuitable for suctorial feeding (fig. 20 flic.kr/p/2maDaMS ). Jensen (1975) observed the related L. capitata to hold filamentous Ulva in the feeding position but fail in its efforts to extract any food.

Like other Sacoglossa, L. senestra is a simultaneous hermaphrodite. Its vaginal opening is closed by the bursa copulatrix which forms a swelling on the right side of the body (fig. 10 flic.kr/p/2maDaUW ). Mutual impregnation is by each partner piercing the other with a sharp hypodermic stylet on the end of the penis (fig. 9 flic.kr/p/2maCbFL ) (Gascoigne, 1976). Spawning in Britain is from February to September. Each spawn mass contains up to 40 ova; an unusually small number for British sea slugs, but containing unusually large eggs (diameter 0.4 mm); spawn masses observed in captivity had 7-13 ova per mass (IFS pers. obs.) Initially, ova have a bright yellow yolk surrounded by white albumen, the white part becoming colourless as the albumen is consumed (fig. 23 flic.kr/p/2maDaya ). The yellow disappears as the embryos develop within the egg mass, and tiny black slugs with black eyes in white eye patches can be seen before they emerge when c. 0.7 mm long. Unlike the other two species of Limapontia in Britain, there is no planktonic veliger larval stage. L. senestra is the only European sea slug, apart from Runcina coronata which is sometimes found in the same pools (fig. 21 flic.kr/p/2maDaGb ), to have no trace of a shell at any stage of its embryonic development (Thompson, 1976).

 

Distribution and status

L. senestra occurs from the White and Barents seas, Arctic Russia, to Bretagne, France. It appears to be absent from the Baltic and continental coast of the southern North Sea; GBIF map www.gbif.org/species/2298917 . It is one of the commonest sea slugs of the littoral zone in the White Sea and the Murman coast, Russia, where it is locally so abundant that sometimes the tufts of algae are turned almost black from the swarms of L. senestra (Roginskaya, 2000). It is widespread around Britain and Ireland, but varies locally and seasonally in abundance. In some places, it is scarcer than L. capitata but in others, such as Orkney, L. senestra is very much the commoner species UK map NBN species.nbnatlas.org/species/NHMSYS0021056303

 

Acknowledgements

I thank Kathe Jensen and Cynthia D. Trowbridge for their help concerning Sacoglossa species. I am grateful for the use of images by Keith Alexander, Helen Marshall and Malcolm Storey. Any errors or omissions are my (IFS) responsibility.

 

References and links

Eliot, C.N.E. (1910). A monograph of the British nudibranchiate mollusca. London, Ray Society. Supplementary Volume. archive.org/details/british_nudibranchiate_mollusca_pt8_l...

 

Gascoigne, T. (1973). A taxonomic note on the genus Acteonia Quatrefages 1844. Proc. Malac. Soc. Lond. 40: 395–398. doi.org/10.1093/oxfordjournals.mollus.a065236

 

Gascoigne, T. 1975. A field guide to the British Limapontidae and Alderia modesta. J. Conch. Lond. 28: 359 – 364.

 

Gascoigne, T. 1976. The reproductive systems and classification of the stiligeridae (Opisthobranchia : Sacoglossa). J. Malac. Soc. Aust. 3 (3-4): 157-172.

 

Hayward, P.J. & Ryland, J.S. (eds.) 1995 and reprints to 2009. Handbook of the marine fauna of North-West Europe. Oxford University Press, Oxford.

 

Jeffreys, J.G. (1869). British Conchology, vol. 5 London, John Van Voorst. [as Acteonia cocksii]. archive.org/details/britishconcholog05jeffr/page/30/mode/1up

 

JNCC, Special Areas of Conservation, Chesil and the Fleet, Annex 1: 1150 sac.jncc.gov.uk/site/UK0017076 accessed 11 July 2021.

 

Kluijver, M.J. de, Ingalsuo S.S. & Bruyne, R.H. de. Mollusca of the North Sea, Limapontia senestra. Marine Species Identification Portal. www.species-identification.org/species.php?species_group=... accessed 11 July 2021.

 

Miller, M.C. 1962. Annual cycles of some Manx nudibranchs, with a discussion of the problem of the migration. J. Anim. Ecol. 31(3): 545-569 www.jstor.org/stable/2053?seq=1

 

National Biodiversity Network Atlas,

species.nbnatlas.org/species/NHMSYS0021056303

 

Quatrefages, A. De. (1844). Sur les gastéropodes phlébentérés. Annls Sci. nat. (Zool.) 1 (3) (First description, as Acteonia senestra, page 142, first illustration fig. iv, plate 3.) www.biodiversitylibrary.org/page/13407269#page/148/mode/1up & www.biodiversitylibrary.org/page/13407269#page/403/mode/1up

 

Roginskaya, I. 2000. Russian opisthobranchs. Notes on Limapontia senestra (Quatrefages,1844) in White Sea and Barents Sea. (Sacoglossa, Limapontiidae) Nudibranch news 2(12): 56-58. www.seaslugforum.net/pdf/annews2-12.pdf

 

Smith, I.F. 2014. Rearing and breeding the sacoglossan sea slug, Limapontia senestra (Quatrefages, 1844). Mollusc World 34: 16-18. Conchological Society of Great Britain and Ireland. www.researchgate.net/publication/352982521_Limapontia_sen...

 

Smith, I.F. 2021. Limapontia capitata (O. F. Müller, 1774) Identification and Biology flic.kr/s/aHsmVLYE4o

 

Thompson, T.E. (1976). Biology of opisthobranch molluscs 1. London, Ray Society.

 

Current taxonomy; World Register of Marine Species www.marinespecies.org/aphia.php?p=taxdetails&id=140231

 

Glossary

bursa copulatrix = spermatozoa receiving organ.

coenocytic = (of algae) with parts made up of large, multinucleate masses of cytoplasm enclosed by the wall of each large cell.

 

cytoplasm = gelatinous liquid that fills the inside of a cell; ‘cell sap’.

digitiform = shaped like a finger.

hermaphrodite, simultaneous = individual acts as both male and female at the same time with similar partner.

 

metapodium = hind part of the foot.

multinucleate = (of cells) having more than one nucleus per cell, i.e., multiple nuclei share one common cytoplasm.

 

ovotestis = (pl. ovotestes) hermaphrodite organ serving as both ovary and testis.

 

propodial = at the front of the foot.

quincunx = pattern of five as on dominoes or dice.

radula = usually a chitinous ribbon with rows of teeth to rasp food, but on Sacoglossa a line of single, fused teeth used like a scalpel to pierce algal cells.

 

radular = of the radula.

rhinophoral = of a rhinophore or in the usual position of a rhinophore.

rhinophore = chemo-receptor tentacle on the head

spatulate = flattened with a blunt, rounded apex like a spatula.

stylet = hard, sharp, slender piercing structure.

uninucleate = (of cells) having one nucleus per cell.

veliger = mollusc larva, usually with a shell, but not on L. senestra, which moves by action of cilia on a velum (bilobed flap). Stage may be passed in plankton or, as in the case of L. senestra, within liquid-filled egg-capsule.

   

Length 10 mm. Fixed edge (1) of mantle which covers less than half of the body.

Left: fully expanded gills.

ELWS, Menai Strait, Wales. April 2011.

 

Full SPECIES DESCRIPTION BELOW

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Goniodoris castanea Alder and Hancock, 1845

Authors: Ian F. Smith (text) and Stefan Verheyen (fieldwork and photography).

 

Current taxonomy: World Register of Marine Species www.marinespecies.org/aphia.php?p=taxdetails&id=140032

Synonyms Doris pareti Vérany, 1846; Goniodoris brunnea Macnae, 1958.

 

GLOSSARY BELOW

 

Description

The body grows up to 38 mm long (Thompson & Brown, 1984). The mantle covers less than half of the body fig. 1 flic.kr/p/2mPDNhC . It has a substantial medial, dorsal ridge fig. 2 flic.kr/p/2mPH9X6 with offshoots, and a prominent, fixed, erect rim stretching forwards from the gills and across the head fig. 3 flic.kr/p/2mPFU8c & fig. 4 flic.kr/p/2mPFU7A . The mantle is often chestnut brown, but it varies in intensity, especially in the Oosterschelde, Nederland, to include purple-black fig. 5 flic.kr/p/2mPFU6t , purple-brown fig. 6 flic.kr/p/2mPFU5S, brilliant red with gold fig. 7 flic.kr/p/2mPyo6W and pinkish white fig. 8 flic.kr/p/2mPCAvw . The rest of the dorsal body surface beyond the mantle is usually similar in colour but more translucent. The whole dorsal surface bears flecks of white or, occasionally, yellow fig. 7 flic.kr/p/2mPyo6W , pigment, which can be small and relatively sparse fig. 6 flic.kr/p/2mPFU5S or large and densely spread fig. 9 flic.kr/p/2mPynUi . Juveniles usually have paler, less intense colour fig. 10 flic.kr/p/2mPH9r6 & fig 19 flic.kr/p/2mPH9au than adults. The whole of the dorsal surface is covered with translucent tubercles fig. 3 flic.kr/p/2mPFU8c , fig. 11 flic.kr/p/2mPFTCp & fig. 12 flic.kr/p/2mPCAa1 , which are difficult to discern among the pigment flecks unless they neatly coincide with the flecks fig. 13 flic.kr/p/2mPynGe & fig. 7 flic.kr/p/2mPyo6W .

The large, when fully expanded, dorsal gills fig. 1 flic.kr/p/2mPDNhC are thickset basally so the tripinnate structure is often only discernible distally fig. 13 flic.kr/p/2mPynGe , fig.14 flic.kr/p/2mPFTxj & fig. 31 flic.kr/p/2mPDLXt . Up to nine are arranged in a circle with a small gap at the rear and the cylindrical anal papilla at the centre fig 15 flic.kr/p/2mPH9df . The gills are usually coloured as the rest of the body, but sometimes with a darker or lighter shade, and juveniles may have transparent colourless gills fig. 10 flic.kr/p/2mPH9r6 . The hermaphrodite genital opening is to the rear of the right rhinophore on a slightly tapered, cylindrical, brown papilla, often with the tip of the penis showing fig. 16 flic.kr/p/2mPDMwV . When mating, the translucent white penis, with fine brown marks basally, can extend to half the length of its body to reach the aperture of a mate fig. 2 flic.kr/p/2mPH9X6 .

The head has over the mouth an oral veil fig. 17 flic.kr/p/2mPFTog which extends into a pair of anterolateral oral tentacles reinforced with a strong longitudinal ridge on each fig. 4 flic.kr/p/2mPFU7A & fig. 18 flic.kr/p/2mPCzTE . The anterior edge of the veil has a deep, medial notch fig. 17 flic.kr/p/2mPFTog which, with the curvature of the tentacles, often gives it a shallow S-shape on each side. The rhinophores each have up to seventeen lamellae (Thompson & Brown, 1984) on the posterior, leaving the anterior face smooth fig 19 flic.kr/p/2mPH9au . The smooth digitiform apex is offset to the anterior of the rhinophore. The rhinophores are translucent white fig. 12 flic.kr/p/2mPCAa1 and on adults they usually have much dark brown or purple brown with white pigment fig 19 flic.kr/p/2mPH9au , even when the body is a contrasting colour fig. 8 flic.kr/p/2mPCAvw & fig. 20 flic.kr/p/2mPDMtP .

The upper surface of the foot is an uninterrupted continuation of the dorsal surface of the body not covered by the mantle, but it is more translucent fig. 21 flic.kr/p/2mPCzMh especially on weakly pigmented, young specimens fig 19 flic.kr/p/2mPH9au . The metapodium has a medial dorsal ridge fig. 3 flic.kr/p/2mPFU8c . The sole is translucent white with opaque white and very faint brown pigment marks fig. 22 flic.kr/p/2mPH94c . It reveals salmon-pink to purple viscera centrally fig. 23 flic.kr/p/2mPDMmQ . It is broad at the anterior, sometimes tapering laterally to a posterior point fig. 22 flic.kr/p/2mPH94c and sometimes with almost parallel lateral edges until posterior of the mantle and gills where it tapers to a posterior point fig. 23 flic.kr/p/2mPDMmQ . The anterior edge has rounded corners with no propodial extensions, and it is deeply notched below the mouth fig. 17 flic.kr/p/2mPFTog .

 

Key identification features

G. castanea

1: Body chestnut brown, varying to pinkish white and dark purple with opaque white or, occasionally, yellow flecks fig. 5 flic.kr/p/2mPFU6t .

2: Mantle with erect fixed edge does not cover sides of body fig. 4 flic.kr/p/2mPFU7A .

3: Ridge on the oral tentacles fig. 4 flic.kr/p/2mPFU7A & fig. 18 flic.kr/p/2mPCzTE .

4: Oral tentacles are lateral extensions of an oral veil fig. 17 flic.kr/p/2mPFTog .

 

Similar species

G. nodosa (Montagu, 1808)

1: Body translucent white with opaque white, and sometimes yellow, flecks fig. 24 flic.kr/p/2mPFTei . No other colours apart from pinkish or yellowish viscera visible through translucent body. Usually a yellow or white medial band on the metapodium. Juveniles sometimes covered in powdering of yellow fig. 25 flic.kr/p/2mPDMhX .

2: Mantle is more extensive than on G. castanea but usually leaves part of the body exposed fig. 26 flic.kr/p/2mPynkH though it can extend/move position to cover most of the body. Its edge is often flexed into undulations and does not stand upright in a fixed position.

3: No ridge on the oral tentacles.

4: Oral tentacles attached to the head; only a slight oral veil (fig. 27 flic.kr/p/2mPH8Xk .

 

Habits and ecology

G. castanea lives on hard substrate sublittorally to 25 m, and at ELWS on rocky shores. It feeds on ascidians, including Botryllus schlosseri fig. 28 flic.kr/p/2mPynh1 , B. leachi, Dendrodoa sp. and Ascidia mentula. In the Oosterschelde, Nederland, it is very common in a wide range of colours feeding on the alien Botrylloides violaceus. The colours of G. castanea very often provide good camouflage on the different colour forms of its prey fig. 29 flic.kr/p/2mPFT7j , fig. 20 flic.kr/p/2mPDMtP & fig. 8 flic.kr/p/2mPCAvw . It is most easily found when on a non-matching colour form, even when recessed in a pit eaten into its prey fig. 28 flic.kr/p/2mPynh1 .

G. castanea is a simultaneous hermaphrodite, though penetration by the extended penes may not be simultaneous fig. 2 flic.kr/p/2mPH9X6 . The usual mating position of a pair is head to tail with the genital apertures on their right sides closely proximate fig.14 flic.kr/p/2mPFTxj so the extended penes may be hidden from view. Spawn fig. 30 flic.kr/p/2mPH8EX has been recorded in Britain from February to October on or near its prey fig. 29 flic.kr/p/2mPFT7j on or under stones or other hard surfaces in a spiral ribbon attached by one edge fig. 31 flic.kr/p/2mPDLXt . After 12 or 13 days at 16° C, veliger larvae hatch from the spawn and drift as plankton before settling on the sea floor and transforming into adults (Thompson & Brown, 1984).

 

Distribution and status

G. castanea occurs from southern Norway into the Mediterranean; GBIF map www.gbif.org/species/2291986 . In 1984, Thompson and Brown stated it was widespread but never very common in any individual locality and, in the British Isles, had scattered records from all regions except western Ireland. Infrequent examples were reported from the Dutch coast (Swennen, 1961 in Thompson & Brown 1984). It seems to have had a large increase in its population in the Twenty-first Century as it is now frequently found by divers, and I have found it on shores of the Menai Strait, while I never found any in the 1970s in Orkney. It is now especially common sublittorally in the Oosterschelde estuary, Nederland. The apparent increase in population may be a direct result of climate warming, or indirectly by the large availability of invasive species of ascidian suitable for food, such as Botrylloides species, which are probably a result of accidental introduction and/or climate warming. The UK map at species.nbnatlas.org/species/NBNSYS0000175524 suggests that G. castanea is scarce or absent in the north-eastern Irish Sea and in the North Sea from Flamborough Head to Kent, despite its frequency in the Oosterschelde on the facing Dutch coast.

 

Acknowledgements

I gratefully thank Rokus Groeneveld ( www.diverosa.com/ ) for use of his images, and my co-author, Stefan Verheyen, for his numerous sublittoral images of the species in the Oosterschelde, Nederland. I thank Sarah Bowen and David Kipling for much appreciated advice about ascidian identifications.

 

References & links

Alder, J. & Hancock, A. 1845. Notice of a new genus and several new species of Nudibranchiate Mollusca. The annals and magazine of natural history; zoology, botany, and geology. 16: 311- 316. Article: XXXIV

p. 314 www.biodiversitylibrary.org/page/22069384#page/328/mode/1up

 

Alder, J. & Hancock, A. 1845-1855. A monograph of the British nudibranchiate mollusca. London, Ray Society. www.biodiversitylibrary.org/item/131598#page/176/mode/1up

 

Groeneveld, R. & Reijs, S. Dutch Sea slugs www.diverosa.com/

 

Picton, B.E. & Morrow, C.C. 2010. Encyclopedia of Marine Life of Britain and Ireland.

www.habitas.org.uk/marinelife/species.asp?item=ZD2090 (includes ascidian prey species).

 

Thompson, T.E. & Brown, G.H. 1984. Biology of opisthobranch molluscs 2. London, Ray Society.

 

Current taxonomy: World Register of Marine Species www.marinespecies.org/aphia.php?p=taxdetails&id=140032

 

GLOSSARY

anterolateral = situated in front and to the side of.

digitiform = shaped like a finger.

distal = away from centre of body or from point of attachment.

ELWS = extreme low water spring tide (usually near equinoxes).

hermaphrodite, simultaneous = individual has both male and female features able to function at the same time with similar partner.

 

lamellae = small plates on rhinophores.

LWS = low water spring tide, two periods of a few days each month when tide falls lowest.

 

mantle = (of nudibranchs) sheet of tissue forming part or all of dorsal body surface.

medial = midline of body or organ.

metapodium = hind part of the foot.

oral tentacles = pair of tentacles on or near edge of mouth.

oral veil = anterior extension of head into a flat sheet, sometimes with lateral extensions to form tentacles.

 

papilla = (pl. papillae) small, nipplelike, sensory protruberance.

penes = plural of ‘penis’.

plankton = animals and plants that drift in pelagic zone (main body of water).

propodial = at the front of the foot.

rhinophore = chemo-receptor tentacle; many sea slugs have a pair on top of the head.

tripinnate = (of gill plume) threefold branching; “boughs, branches, twigs”.

veliger = shelled larva of marine gastropod or bivalve mollusc which moves by action of cilia on a velum (bilobed flap). Stage may be passed in plankton or within liquid-filled egg-capsule.

  

1: height. 2: width. 3: Ten incised spiral lines on base of body-whorl disappear into shell on parietal lip which is darkened by slight glaze. 4: top of body whorl. 5: Obtuse adapical angle. Aperture 33% shell height.

23mm high. Portland Harbour, Dorset, U.K. April 2012.

DETAILED ACCOUNT BELOW

Sets of OTHER SPECIES at: www.flickr.com/photos/56388191@N08/collections/.

PDF available at www.researchgate.net/publication/348448785_Calliostoma_zi...

 

Calliostoma zizyphinum (Linnaeus, 1758)

 

Current taxonomy: World Register of Marine Species (WoRMS) www.marinespecies.org/aphia.php?p=taxdetails&id=141767

Synonyms: Trochus zizyphinus Linnaeus, 1758 [in Jeffreys, and Forbes & Hanley]; Trochus conuloides Lamarck, 1822; Calliostoma zizyphinum var. lyonsi (Leach in Forbes & Hanley, 1850).

Vernacular: Painted top shell (English); Trwyn fy nain (Welsh); Plettet topsnegl (Danish); priktolhoren (Dutch); Troque jujube (French).

Meaning of scientific name: Calliostoma (kallos stoma) = beautiful mouth.

zizyphinum (zizyphino) = jujube fruit (colour of).

 

GLOSSARY below.

 

Shell description

Maximum width and height are 30 mm; W/H 90-120%. Conoidal, like a traditional spinning top; almost precisely flat sided in profile except sometimes a slight concavity near the apex (fig. 1) flic.kr/p/j9A6uv . The shell is opaque, slightly glossy and slippery. Body whorl height is 40-45% of shell height (Graham 1988) (fig. 2) flic.kr/p/2kpY46Q . It is acutely angled at the periphery, the lower part forming a flat base (fig. 1) flic.kr/p/j9A6uv . The sharp apex is rarely eroded on live animals; the apical angle is greater on those living in fast-flowing water. There is a sculpture of about ten incised spiral lines below the angled periphery on the base of the body-whorl, which is hidden on earlier whorls by the subsequent overlapping whorl (fig. 2) flic.kr/p/2kpY46Q . Above the periphery, body-whorl has six to nine broad or narrow spiral fillets (bands), the one on the periphery is the largest and broadest (fig. 3) flic.kr/p/j9yDiM . The fillets are separated by grooves. The fillets have curved or sloping abapical edges and steep adapical edges (fig. 4) flic.kr/p/j9AXYN . Fillets above the periphery continue onto the earlier whorls, decreasing in number and clarity; the large peripheral one becomes suprasutural on leaving the body-whorl (fig. 3) flic.kr/p/j9yDiM and remains visible even when other fillets are obscure. Sutures are slight and defined by the suprasutural fillet of each whorl (fig. 4) flic.kr/p/j9AXYN . Most fillets are smooth with very fine transverse striae (fig. 3) flic.kr/p/j9yDiM , but the apical protoconch lacks sculpture and pigment, and fillets on some other adapical whorls are cut into beads (fig. 5) flic.kr/p/j9yBJV so very small young ones are predominantly beaded (fig. 20) flic.kr/p/KpbYR6 .

The umbilicus is closed (fig. 6) flic.kr/p/j9Dajm on all except juveniles less than 7 mm high. The aperture is rhomboidal and wider than high. Its height is c. 33% of the shell height (fig. 2) flic.kr/p/2kpY46Q . The parietal lip is a reflected slight glaze on the body whorl. The columellar lip is a wide, white shelf leaning to the left of the axis; sometimes with a slight bulge. The aperture has an obtuse adapical angle. The interior of the shell is coated with pearly white nacre (aragonite crystals), apart from a border just within the outer lip coloured as the exterior of the shell. The ground colour of the shell is whitish (fig. 4) flic.kr/p/j9AXYN , pale yellowish-pink (most often when on granite) and/or peach (fig. 4) flic.kr/p/j9AXYN ; occasionally warm red-brown or pale slate-blue (most often on limestone). Apart from on the all-white variety often found in sheltered rapids, C. zizyphinum lyonsi (fig. 6) flic.kr/p/j9Dajm , on and above the periphery there are transverse blotches or “flames” of purplish-pink, reddish-pink or dark-liver of varying strength, but usually distinct on the peripheral and suprasutural spiral fillets (fig. 4) flic.kr/p/j9AXYN . Colours match well those of jubjube fruit (zizyphino) jujubetrees.com/ . Even the youngest shells are well pigmented; sometimes small early apical whorls, even on var. lyonsi, are coloured (fig. 7) flic.kr/p/j9AWBj . The circular, polygyrous, spiral, translucent, horn coloured operculum has narrow coils and fine transverse growth lines (fig. 8) flic.kr/p/j9yALT . Live shells are notable for the absence of growths and deposits, and lack of erosion, but exceptions occur; www.bioimages.org.uk/html/r164639.htm . The thin yellow-brown periostracum is almost always lost from peripheral and suprasutural fillets (fig. 3) flic.kr/p/j9yDiM , and is frequently lost from all or most of shell (fig. 10) flic.kr/p/j9AWfs .

Body description

The flesh is peach-pink to salmon pink or yellowish, heavily marked dark orange-brown (fig. 9) flic.kr/p/j9yBpg (including all-white shell variety, C. zizyphinum lyonsi (fig. 10) flic.kr/p/j9AWfs ) . The orange-peach body of juveniles lacks dark pigment marks (fig. 20) flic.kr/p/KpbYR6 . The short snout, is heavily blotched orange-brown dorsally except for the pale tip (fig. 11) flic.kr/p/j9yAaH . There is a small, rudimentary cephalic lappet at the base of each tentacle. The end of the snout is horseshoe-shaped with a wide, peach coloured border surrounding a salmon-pink, crenate-lipped, vertical-slit mouth (fig. 12) flic.kr/p/j9yzRM . The ventral lip has median line with an eversion of the outer lip (pseudoproboscis) on the right (Fretter & Graham, 1962) which is not visible in this set of images. The cephalic tentacles are long, densely setose, whitish or pinkish, with an orange-brown, dorsal median line (fig. 11) flic.kr/p/j9yAaH . There is an eye on a stout peduncle at the base of each cephalic tentacle. A small black exposed part is surrounded by a blue-grey ring of the rest of eye showing through the translucent peduncle (fig. 11) flic.kr/p/j9yAaH . There is a sensory tentacle at the base of the right eye peduncle (fig. 11) flic.kr/p/j9yAaH but not on the left peduncle. There is a large, peach-pink neck-lobe, with orange-brown blotches ventrally, behind each eye. It is often curved to form respiratory part-siphon (fig. 13) flic.kr/p/j9A2Xv ; the edge is not fringed on either lobe. The thicker left inhalent lobe undulates and is held out from body to reduce the intake of substrate detritus (fig. 19) flic.kr/p/jaQRvL . The anterior of the foot is truncate, and the posterior is obtusely pointed (fig. 13) flic.kr/p/j9A2Xv . When stationary, the foot is often covered by the shell (fig. 15) flic.kr/p/j9yzoH , but the posterior extends beyond shell when in motion (fig. 16) flic.kr/p/j9D7Fq . The dorsal and lateral surfaces of the foot are densely covered in papillae arranged in approximate rows obliquely to the perimeter; many are pale yellowish or pinkish and distinct where they protrude through the extensive orange to dark-brown pigment (fig. 16) flic.kr/p/j9D7Fq . The periphery of the foot is pale without brown pigment. A large undulate epipodium, coloured and with papillae like the dorsum of the foot, runs along each side of the foot. Each bears four whitish epipodial tentacles (fig. 16) flic.kr/p/j9D7Fq & (fig. 9) flic.kr/p/j9yBpg . The whitish opercular disc, to which the operculum is attached, does not enclose any of the operculum edge (fig. 17) flic.kr/p/j9A1bz . The disc is visible as a pale area through the translucent operculum when the animal is retracted into the shell (fig. 8) flic.kr/p/j9yALT . The epipodia continue on the metapodium behind the operculum, and meet to form a fringed crest concealing a dorsal V-shape area, grooved transversely with abundant mucus-producing cells (fig. 17) flic.kr/p/j9A1bz . The elongate sole, salmon-pink with a peach periphery, (fig. 18) flic.kr/p/j9D73m , readily folds along a longitudinal furrow (fig. 9) flic.kr/p/j9yBpg . The transverse anterior groove produces mucus for locomotion. The mantle is peach-coloured with brown marks on its edge (fig. 12) flic.kr/p/j9yzRM ; it extends slightly beyond the rim of the aperture (fig. 14) flic.kr/p/j9AU3G . Fertilization is external so there is no penis on males.

 

Key identification features

Calliostoma zizyphinum

1) Conoidal shell like traditional spinning top; almost precisely flat sided in profile except sometimes a slight concavity near apex (fig. 1) flic.kr/p/j9A6uv . Maximum height and width 30 mm.

2) Spiral fillets smooth with very fine transverse striae (fig. 3) flic.kr/p/j9yDiM . Protoconch lacks sculpture and pigment. Other apical whorls have beads (fig. 20) flic.kr/p/KpbYR6 so small young are entirely beaded.

3) Large undulate epipodium on each side of foot bears four whitish epipodial tentacles (fig. 16) flic.kr/p/j9D7Fq .

4) Littoral and sublittoral on most coasts of Britain & Ireland, except estuaries and turbid-waters.

 

Similar species

Jujubinus striatus (Linnaeus, 1758) (fig. 29 ) flic.kr/p/2krttXW

1) Conoidal shell like traditional spinning top; almost precisely flat sided in profile. Maximum height 10 mm and width 8 mm.

2) Shell usually brown with cream or white marks and, on apical area, carmine red. Spiral ribs have variably pronounced nodules.

4) LWST to 200 m depth. Usually found on or near Zostera, Ulva or Codium in Channel Islands, south-west England, Isle of Man and south-west Ireland.

 

The following beaded/nodose two species have some similarity but are not described here because of uncertainty about the distinguishing features

Calliostoma granulatum (Born, 1778)

Sublittoral, 7-300 m (Graham, 1988). Occasional on gravel and soft substrates in south and west Britain. Maximum height and width 35 mm.

 

Clelandella miliaris (Brocchi, 1814)

Sublittoral only, 33-800 m (Graham, 1988) On stony substrate. Feeds on alcyonarians and hydroids. Scottish waters and Irish Sea. Maximum height 12 mm, width 11 mm.

 

Habits and ecology

C. zizyphinum is found under rocks, in crevices and on large algae from MLWS on sheltered shores to 300 m depth. Often on Laminaria but occurs also where there are no large algae. It cannot tolerate exposure to air for long, but it sometimes survives in rock pools on upper shores in northern Scotland on exposed coasts where the summer sun lacks intensity and pool water is frequently refreshed by ocean swell. It favours clean water so, despite an ability to survive salinity down to 21 ppt, NBN distribution maps suggest it is absent from estuaries and turbid coasts such as Liverpool Bay.

Cilia on the undulating left neck-lobe create an inhalent current to the long ctenidium within the mantle cavity (fig. 13) flic.kr/p/j9A2Xv . Cilia on the right neck-lobe create an exhalent current for respiratory water, gametes and excreta. Locomotion is caused by ditaxic, direct compression waves on the sole of the foot; turning is caused by different rates of wave flow on either side of the central furrow (fig. 18) flic.kr/p/j9D73m . It feeds on micro-algae and other micro-organisms brushed by radula from rocks and stones, and about 20% of its food by “shell wiping” (Jones, S.P. et al., 2001). Twice every 24 hours the crest on the metapodium opens (fig. 23) flic.kr/p/QHSF2A to expose a mucus-producing area which is wiped over the shell for about 20 minutes. The coated shell acts like a fly paper trapping micro-organisms and other water borne particles which are ingested along with mucus (fig. 21) flic.kr/p/Pbx33Y & (fig. 22) flic.kr/p/P6rXQ8 This feeding method operates most effectively in strong currents loaded with particles; C. zizyphinum is often large and abundant in marine rapids. Shell wiping usually maintains the shell free of fouling by epibiota or detritus, but not always (fig. 28) flic.kr/p/2kqRAgy , and the wiping with mucus is the cause of live shells sometimes feeling slippery. Faeces are irregular rods of sand and calcareous or vegetable detritus embedded in mucus (fig. 24) flic.kr/p/V6CzGA .

C. zizyphinum breeds in spring and summer in Plymouth, and May to October, with maximum in July, in Roscoff (Fretter & Graham 1962). Spawning at 10º C in natural lighting in captivity was spread randomly across a 30 day experimental period irrespective of lunar phase or time of day (Holmes, 1997). Unlike the trochid Phorcus lineatus and Steromphala spp. which release individual unattached eggs, the female C. zizyphinum lays, indiscriminately over rock and weed, a long, thin spawn-ribbon, 250 to 750mm long by 2 to 5mm wide, attached at one end to the substrate, (fig. 25) flic.kr/p/U4x65N . The ribbon has up to 700 large ova with mean diameter 0.47mm (Holmes, 1997). It probably expands immediately on contact with seawater in the mantle cavity because it appears fully expanded as it comes into view from the shell (fig. 26) flic.kr/p/UKRupd . Fertilization is external after the spawn leaves the female. Close proximity of an attendant male during spawning is not required (fig. 25) flic.kr/p/U4x65N & (fig. 27) flic.kr/p/UKRtxy (D. Kipling and C. Rickard, pers. comm. 2017 and Holmes, 1997). Males in the general vicinity release milky white puffs of sperm and seminal fluid a few minutes after spawning starts and are probably stimulated to action by the release from the spawn of soluble chemicals (fig. 24) flic.kr/p/V6CzGA . The released sperm swim to the spawn, probably in response to material from within the egg mass (Holmes, 1997). Ova have large yolks. Trochophore and veliger stages, passed within the spawn mass, can be seen rotating and then crawling within ova. Young hatch as crawling snails. Unusually for a British trochid, there is no planktonic phase.

 

Distribution and status

C. zizyphinum occurs from Trondheim, and some offshore islands further north, in Norway to Atlantic Morocco and the Mediterranean. Absent from the Baltic beyond south-west Sweden; scarce or absent from British estuaries and the continental coast of the southern North Sea. GBIF map www.gbif.org/species/2293333 . Lives all round Britain and Ireland where there is suitable hard substrate. U.K. map NBN species.nbnatlas.org/species/NBNSYS0000174273

 

Acknowledgements

I am most grateful to David Fenwick www.aphotomarine.com , David Kipling, Brenton Prigge, Chris Rickard, Rob Spray, Malcolm Storey www.bioimages.org.uk/ and Dawn Watson for use of their images, and I thank Jon Crothers and Geoff Wigham for help with literature.

 

Links and references

 

Forbes, E. & Hanley S. 1849-53. A history of the British mollusca and their shells. vol. 2 (1849), London, van Voorst. (As Trochus zizyphinus) archive.org/details/historyofbritish02forb/page/490/mode/2up

 

Fretter, V. and Graham, A. 1962. British prosobranch molluscs. London, Ray Society.

 

Graham, A. 1988. Prosobranch and pyramidellid gastropods. London.

 

Jeffreys, J.G. 1862-69. British conchology. vol. 3 (1865). London, van Voorst. (As Trochus zizyphinus) archive.org/details/britishconcholog03jeffr/page/330/mode...

 

Jones, H.D. 1984. Shell cleaning behaviour of Calliostoma zizyphinum. J. Mollus. Stud. 50 (3): 245-247 Abstract: academic.oup.com/mollus/article-abstract/50/3/245/1234573

 

Jones, S.P., Sturgess C.J., Cherrill, A. & Davies, M.S. 2001. Shell wiping in Calliostoma zizyphinum: the use of pedal mucus as a provendering agent and its contribution to daily energetic requirements. Mar Ecol Prog Ser 212: 171-181. www.int-res.com/articles/meps/212/m212p171.pdf

 

Current taxonomy: World Register of Marine Species (WoRMS) www.marinespecies.org/aphia.php?p=taxdetails&id=141767

 

Glossary

adapical = towards the apex of the shell.

aperture = mouth of gastropod shell; outlet for head and foot.

cephalic = (adj.) of or on the head.

cilia = (pl.) linear extensions of membrane used in feeding or locomotion. (“cilium” singular).

columella = solid or hollow axis around which gastropod shell spirals; hidden inside shell, except on final whorl next to lower part of inner lip of aperture where hollow ones may end in an umbilicus or siphonal canal.

 

columellar = (adj.) of or near central axis of spiral gastropod.

columellar lip - lower (abapical) part of inner lip of aperture.

conoidal = nearly conical.

ctenidium = comb-like molluscan gill; usually an axis with a row of filaments either side.

ditaxic = (of locomotion waves on foot) double series of waves, out of phase with each other,

direct = (of locomotion waves on foot) waves travel from posterior to anterior.

ELWS = extreme low water spring tide (usually near March and September equinoxes).

epipodial = (adj.) of the epipodium.

epipodium = collar around sides of foot of some gastropods, often bearing epipodial tentacles.

height = (of gastropod shells) distance from apex of spire to base of aperture.

mantle = sheet of tissue that secretes the shell and forms a cavity for the gill.

MLWS = mean low water spring tide level (mean level reached by lowest low tides for a few days every fortnight; Laminaria or Coralline zone on rocky coasts).

 

opercular = (adj.) of the operculum.

opercular disc = part of foot that is attached to the operculum.

operculum = plate of horny conchiolin used to close shell aperture.

periostracum = thin horny layer of chitinous material often coating shells.

plankton = animals and plants that drift in pelagic zone (main body of water).

retrograde = (of locomotion waves on foot) waves travel from anterior to posterior.

suprasutural = (adj.) above (adapical of) the suture.

suture = groove or line where whorls of gastropod shell adjoin.

trochophore = spherical or pear-shaped larvae that swim with aid of girdle of cilia. Stage preceding veliger, passed within gastropod egg in most spp., including C. zizyphinum, but free in plankton for most Trochidae.

 

umbilicus = cavity up axis of some gastropods, open as a hole or chink on base of shell.

veliger = shelled larva of marine gastropod which swims by beating cilia of a velum (bilobed flap). Stage passed within egg of C. zizyphinum.

 

Diameter 8 mm. Tergoscutal flaps: brown mark at rostral (lower) end (1), bright orange mark at micropyle (2) and orange lobe next to rim of flap at carinal (upper) end (3). Area of light blue flap next to white rim in rostral half (4). Surrounded by smaller C. montagui (5) Portland Bill, Dorset.

 

Full SPECIES DESCRIPTION below

Sets of OTHER SPECIES at: www.flickr.com/photos/56388191@N08/collections/.

 

Chthamalus stellatus (Poli,1791) text I.F. Smith

 

Recent synonyms

Pre 1976 records include Chthamalus montagui Southward, 1976.

Vernacular names

Star barnacle, Poli’s stellate barnacle, Crachen Poli (Welsh).

 

DESCRIPTION **Glossary below.

 

opercular aperture (top opening)

Approximately broadly oval Cs1[flic.kr/p/bXnEBf], but often with tendency to flat sections of perimeter; some may approach kite-shape Cs2[flic.kr/p/bXnEHY] of C. montagui

 

opercular valves (lid plates)

Four valves, two terga and two scuta, open along longitudinal midline with a tergum and scutum each side Cs3[flic.kr/p/bXnEPE]. Whether closed or open, valves usually just below, or level with, rim of aperture, and each tergum fixed to its scutum (sometimes even after treatment with bleach) Cs4[flic.kr/p/bXnESy]). Terga fill a third or more of aperture. A few growth lines may be seen on the rostral end of the scuta Cs3[flic.kr/p/bXnEPE].

 

tergoscutal flap (membranous seal on lid plates).

Bluish; varying grey-blue, white faintly tinted blue, bright blue to entirely electric blue. Bright orange mark at micropyle Cs5[flic.kr/p/bXnEXs] Orange-brown to dark brown mark at rostral end. Bright orange longitudinal lobe at carinal end (fully exposed when valves open Cs6[flic.kr/p/bXnF4b]). Between micropyle and carina, away from the rim, the flap may be orange-brown.

wall plates

Six; delineating sutures often only visible on juveniles as usually fused Cs7[flic.kr/p/bXnFoJ] and difficult to discern on older ones. Rostral plate narrow Cs8[flic.kr/p/bXnFhu], butts onto lateral plates. Plates solid, not porose, but some holes near aperture internally Cs9[flic.kr/p/bXnFxd]. After bleaching, white with some pink-brown, especially internally near aperture. Often discoloured dull yellow in life and heavily eroded and/or punctured by Cliona celata, boring sponge Cs10[flic.kr/p/bXnFaQ].

 

profile

When isolated, low mound Cs8[flic.kr/p/bXnFhu] often very depressed. When crowded, low column about 6mm high Cs11[flic.kr/p/bXnFB3].

 

base

Black membrane. Bright orange-red Cs12[flic.kr/p/bXnFF1] flesh visible in barnacle when removed from substrate.

 

diameter & height

Usually under 10mm diameter, occasionally to 14mm. Crowded columns about 6mm high.

 

IDENTIFYING FEATURES

Aperture: Approximately broadly oval Cs1[flic.kr/p/bXnEBf], BUT can vary to rounded kite.

Tergoscutal flaps: White to blue, with bright orange at micropyle and carinal end. Cs6[flic.kr/p/bXnF4b]

Base plate: Black membrane. Bright orange flesh inside barnacle Cs12[flic.kr/p/bXnFF1]

Wall plates: Rostral plate narrow Cs8[flic.kr/p/bXnFhu] butts onto lateral plates.

Tide level: Commonest MTL to MLWS, some up to HW. Not sublittoral.

 

SIMILAR SPECIES

Chthamalus montagui

Aperture: Kite shape (not-equilateral diamond), BUT can vary to rounded kite.

Tergoscutal flaps: White to blue, with brown at micropyle and carinal end Cm1[flic.kr/p/bYFMLS].

Wall plates: Rostral plate narrow Cm, butts onto lateral plates Cm2[flic.kr/p/bYFNbS]

Base plate: Black membrane. Dull yellow flesh inside barnacle Cs12[flic.kr/p/bXnFF1]

Tide level: Commonest HWS to HWN, some down to LWN. Not sublittoral.

 

Semibalanus balanoides (some juveniles in wave exposed positions)

Aperture: Oval.

Tergoscutal flaps: Whitish to grey with white rim, brown/blackish at rostral end, brown at micropyle, but white at carinal end Sb10[ flic.kr/p/bFdLky].

Wall plates: Lateral plates butt onto wide rostral plate Sb4[flic.kr/p/bFdL67].

Profile: Depressed.

Base plate: Membranous.

 

ECOLOGY

Stenohaline, full salinity. Commonest MTL to MLWS, some up to HW, not sublittoral. On rock and live limpets Cs13[flic.kr/p/bXnFPY] exposed to strong and very strong wave action, where it is may be the dominant littoral barnacle. Usually overlaps with shore zones of Balanus semibalanoides and Chthamalus montagui. In Britain, breeds April to September, cyprids settle July to December.

Masses of Chthamalus near high water mark on shores exposed to strong waves are a favoured habitat of the isopod Campocea hirsuta and juveniles of the gastropod Melarhaphe neritoides Cs2[flic.kr/p/bXnEHY].

 

DISTRIBUTION

N.E. Atlantic coasts from Shetland to Azores, Canaries and N.W. Africa, and into Mediterranean and Black seas. See GBIF map www.gbif.org/species/2115620

British coasts westwards from Isle of Wight to Scilly and thence north to Shetland. Most Irish coasts, except Larne to Dublin. Southward (2008) wrote, “It straggles down the east coast of Scotland in small numbers, mostly in cryptic situations [deep cracks in rock], as far as Stonehaven. - - It is missing from the north Wales coast east of Holyhead, and from Lancashire, Cumbria, the Galloway peninsula and the Clyde Sea”. Records of it on NBN from these areas of reported absence require evidence of the tergoscutal flap for substantiation as the shell and aperture can overlap in appearance with that of C. montagui which is often mistaken for it. Those in situations of low wave action are especially suspect . See NBN map at species.nbnatlas.org/species/NBNSYS0000174548

 

CURRENT TAXONOMY

World Register of Marine Species www.marinespecies.org/aphia.php?p=taxdetails&id=106231

 

Glossary

ala – (pl. alae) side flange of wall plate, overlapped by radius of next plate.

carina – posterior wall plate adjoining the smaller pair of lid plates (terga). carinal – (adj.) of the carina.

cirri – (sing. cirrus) feather-like thoracic limbs used in filter feeding.

cypris – (pl. cyprids) final larval bivalved stage in barnacle development.

euryhaline – tolerant of wide range of salinities.

HW- high water level.

HWS- level of high water spring tide.

lateral plates - wall plates other than end plates (depending on sp., strictly may be rostro-lateral or carino-lateral).

LWN- level of low water neap tide.

micropyle – small breathing/sensing hole between tergoscutal flaps, sometimes visible when operculum shut. Found on spp. that are left out of water for long periods.

MLWS- level of mean low water spring tide.

MTL – mid-tide level.

opercular – (adj.) of the operculum (aperture lid).

operculum – moveable lid-like structure used to close the aperture.

paries – ( pl. parietes) central section of wall plate, flanked by alae and radii.

ppt – parts per thousand (of salt in water).

radius – (pl. radii) side flange of wall plate, overlaps ala of adjacent plate.

right – on right when barnacle viewed from above with rostrum at 12 o’clock.

rostral - (adj.) of the rostrum.

rostrum - anterior wall plate adjoining larger pair of lid plates (scuta). (Lost on Elminius and balanoids; place taken by fused rostro-laterals; referred to as rostrum for simplicity.)

scuta – (sing. scutum) the larger plates of the operculum (lid).

sessile – (adj.) permanently attached to substrate (of immobile organism).

stenohaline – unable to tolerate much variation in salinity.

terga – (sing. tergum) the smaller plates of the operculum (lid).

tergoscutal flaps - membranous “lid seals", (most visible as valves start to open).

  

References & links

 

Rainbow, P.S., 1984. An introduction to the biology of British littoral barnacles. Field studies 6: 1-51.

fsj.field-studies-council.org/media/350581/vol6.1_161.pdf

 

Southward, A.J., 2008. Barnacles. London, Linnean Society.

  

The shell is shaped like a Phrygian cap with the pointed crown curved backwards to 24% of shell-length from the posterior. The protoconch is a minute spiral of two whorls on the right posterior of the apex (1).

The anterior profile is convex and the posterior concave. Vacant shell with most brown staining removed.

L. 5.8 mm, W. 4.6 mm, H. 3.2 mm, Menai Strait, Wales, March 2015.

Full SPECIES DESCRIPTION BELOW

PDF available at www.researchgate.net/publication/367655295_Emarginula_fis...

Sets of OTHER SPECIES at: www.flickr.com/photos/56388191@N08/collections/

 

Emarginula fissura (Linnaeus, 1758)

 

Synonyms: Patella fissura Linnaeus, 1758; Emarginula conica Lamarck, 1801; Emarginula reticulata J. Sowerby, 1813;

Current taxonomy: World Register of Marine Species (WoRMS)

www.marinespecies.org/aphia.php?p=taxdetails&id=139959

 

Vernacular names: Slit limpet (English); Brenigen hollt (Welsh); Slidset albueskæ (Danish); Geruite napslak (Dutch); Schlitzschnecke, Geschlitzte Napfschnecke (German); hjelmsnegl (Norwegian); slitsskalsnäcka (Swedish); emarginule (French):

 

GLOSSARY below.

 

Shell Description

The shell is usually up to 10 mm long, 8 mm wide and 6 mm high (Graham, 1988); rare extreme maxima are L. 18 mm W. 13 mm and H. 8 mm (Nordsieck, 1974 in Piani, 1984). Most found intertidally are smaller. It is shaped like a Phrygian cap with the pointed crown curved backwards to usually about 25% of shell-length from the posterior fig. 01 flic.kr/p/2odgEy1 but sometimes the apex curves back nearly as far as the posterior margin fig. 02 flic.kr/p/2odN26b . The protoconch is a minute spiral of two whorls on the right posterior of the apex fig. 01 flic.kr/p/2odgEy1 . The height is usually from 50% to 70% of the length, but scarce exceptions are as low as 48% or as high as 86% of the length fig. 02 flic.kr/p/2odN26b & fig. 03 flic.kr/p/2odXrBn .

The exterior surface has about 35 radial ridges crossed by about 20 less prominent, narrower, concentric ridges which are most distinct where they cross the spaces between the radial ridges and form small tubercles where they cross the radial ridges fig. 04 flic.kr/p/2odfWTG . The intersecting ridges form a reticulated pattern; hence the synonym, E. reticulata.

The aperture is an oval with a slightly wider posterior, and its rim is crenulated by the ends of the exterior ridges fig. 05 flic.kr/p/2odgRZx . The anterior of the shell has a marginal slit with a recessed slit-band of shell material filling the slit of earlier growth stages fig. 04 flic.kr/p/2odfWTG . The anterior profile is convex and the posterior concave fig. 01 flic.kr/p/2odgEy1 . Externally the shell is white or greyish white, but live specimens are often stained brownish fig. 06 flic.kr/p/2odh4Dh . Early growth near the centre of the shell may have minute white, glistening dots arranged in rows along the ridges fig. 06 flic.kr/p/2odh4Dh. They are the ends of caeca penetrating the shell, which contain and are formed by extensions of the mantle epithelium. Their function is unknown; no evidence has been found of it being sensory or protective (Reindl & Haszprunar, 1994). The interior is nacreous white, often with the exterior ridges showing through fig. 05 flic.kr/p/2odgRZx .

Body description

The flesh is entirely white fig. 07 flic.kr/p/2odh4tN . The head has a broad, bluntly truncated snout ending in an opening with a pleated interior fig. 10 flic.kr/p/2odeA4K which can expand into a large mouth fig. 08 flic.kr/p/2odfWnB . When extended, the cephalic tentacles have a stout base and taper to a slender distal tip fig. 07 flic.kr/p/2odh4tN . A short stalk bearing a black eye extends from the outer side of the base of each tentacle fig. 09 flic.kr/p/2odgRr3 . There is often an aberrant extra eye. The pear-shaped black pigment of the eye can be discerned through the side of the translucent stalk but only the pinhole narrow end is open to the water fig. 10 flic.kr/p/2odeA4K .

The mantle is thin and almost transparent over the visceral mass. Its thickened edge extends with small sensory papillae fig. 12 flic.kr/p/2odezZX to the ends of the furrows on the reverse of the external ridges of the shell fig. 08 flic.kr/p/2odfWnB . The anterior of the mantle skirt has a cleft which is replicated as a slit in the shell above. The edges of the mantle protrude through the shell-slit as a short exhalent siphon fig. 06 flic.kr/p/2odh4Dh & fig.11 flic.kr/p/2odgRo7 leading from the mantle cavity behind it. Like Diodora graeca and others in the order Lepetellida, its mantle cavity contains two bipectinate ctenidia fig.12 flic.kr/p/2odezZX & fig. 13 flic.kr/p/2odh3ZB instead of the single one found in most other marine gastropod orders in Europe.

As with other limpet species, many not closely related to each other, evolution of the limpet shell-form has resulted in a horseshoe shaped pedal retractor muscle with the head in the mantle cavity at the open end of the horseshoe fig.12 flic.kr/p/2odezZX .

The foot has a circlet of epipodial tentacles, without connecting flap, running around its flanks fig. 09 flic.kr/p/2odgRr3 . The largest epipodial tentacles are usually the median posterior one and another, often bifid, behind the right cephalic tentacle fig. 12 flic.kr/p/2odezZX . The latter has sometimes been misinterpreted as a penis, but it occurs on both males and females; there is no penis as fertilization is external.

Features often discernible on the surface of the visceral mass fig. 14 flic.kr/p/2odezpD include the gonads, digestive gland, and kidney. Dissection of the head-body will show a long radula, typical of many limpet species, which when straightened is as long as the body fig. 09 flic.kr/p/2odgRr3 but lacks the red-gold colouring which indicates hard ferrous mineralization in Patella species. Each row on the radula has many more teeth than Patella as it has a central subquadrate rachidian tooth flanked on either side by four laterals and numerous marginal teeth (Lovèn in Forbes & Hanley, 1849).

 

Key identification features

The features and data below are intended to represent what is usually found, but they vary and some specimens may be found with features overlapping with those of other species fig. 03 flic.kr/p/2odXrBn . Ideally, identifications should be based on measurements, not estimates, of undamaged complete specimens and from more than one feature viewed straight on, not tilted or obscured. Images showing insufficient or ambiguous detail should be recorded as Emarginula sp.

 

Emarginula fissura

1) Anterior of shell has marginal slit with slit-band of shell material filling the slit of earlier growth fig. 04 flic.kr/p/2odfWTG Mantle extends through slit as a siphon but not beyond the perimeter of the aperture fig. 11 flic.kr/p/2odgRo7 .

2) Usual maximum dimensions L. 10 mm, W. 8 mm, H. 6 mm (Wigham & Graham, 2017); rare extreme maxima are L. 18 mm, W. 13 mm, H. 8 mm. Proportions vary but usually W/L 60% to 80% fig. 04 flic.kr/p/2odfWTG , H/L 50% to 70% fig. 02 flic.kr/p/2odN26b , fig. 03 flic.kr/p/2odXrBn and H/W 65% to 80%.

3) Apex curved backwards to about 25% of shell-length from the posterior fig. 01 flic.kr/p/2odgEy1 . Occasionally the apex curves back as far as the posterior margin fig. 02 flic.kr/p/2odN26b .

4) Exterior strongly reticulated by intersecting ribs fig. 04 flic.kr/p/2odfWTG . In profile, anterior concave and posterior convex; curvature moderate.

5) LWS and sublittoral, widespread around British Isles. Sublittoral in the Mediterranean, usually 80 m to 2000m (Piani, 1984).

 

Similar species

Emarginula rosea Bell, 1824.

1) Anterior of shell has marginal slit with slit-band of shell material filling the slit of earlier growth. Mantle extends through slit as a siphon fig. 16 flic.kr/p/2odbYVy but not beyond the perimeter of the aperture.

2) Maximum dimensions L. 6 mm, W. 4 mm, H. 4 mm (Wigham & Graham, 2017). Proportions vary, but often W/L 70% to 90%; H/L 75% to over 100% and H/W 100% to 115% fig. 03 flic.kr/p/2odXrBn .So usually relatively taller and narrower than E. fissura when viewed from the anterior or posterior fig. 16 flic.kr/p/2odbYVy .

3) Apex curved far backwards to over the posterior edge of the shell or beyond it fig. 17 flic.kr/p/2odeyQs , fig. 15 flic.kr/p/2odgPjH & fig. 18 flic.kr/p/2odbYow .

4) Exterior strongly reticulated by intersecting ribs. In profile, anterior concave and posterior convex; curvature more pronounced than on E. fissura so that the apex points downwards.

5) Sublittoral and at ELWS, west and south coasts of British Isles to the Mediterranean. NBN map species.nbnatlas.org/species/NHMSYS0021056415

 

Emarginula crassa Sowerby, 1813

1) Anterior of shell has marginal slit with slit-band of shell material filling the slit of earlier growth. Mantle extends through slit as a siphon fig. 20 flic.kr/p/2odeyA4 and well beyond perimeter of aperture fig. 19 flic.kr/p/2odfUN9 .

2) Maximum dimensions L. 30 mm, W. 20 mm, H. 15 mm (Wigham & Graham, 2017). Width about 66% of length. Height less than 50% of length, so relatively lower than E. fissura when viewed from the side fig. 21 flic.kr/p/2odeykz & fig. 03 flic.kr/p/2odXrBn .

3) Apex curved backwards to about 25% of shell-length from the posterior; varies with age, nearer centre when full grown.

4) Exterior very weakly reticulated by low intersecting ridges, almost smooth fig. 19 flic.kr/p/2odfUN9 . In profile, posterior and anterior are both shallowly convex, except close to anterior of apex fig. 21 flic.kr/p/2odeykz .

5) Sublittoral, very rarely at ELWS, Iceland, Norway, west and north of Scotland. NBN map species.nbnatlas.org/species/NHMSYS0021056414 Some finds from deep, cold water in Irish Sea, off Galicia (Trigo et al. 2018) and in the Mediterranean.

 

Emarginula species in the Mediterranean.

Species currently living in the Mediterranean (J. Prkić, pers. comm. 25 January 2023) are

Emarginula adriatica* Costa O.G.,1829;

Emarginula bonfittoi Smriglio & Mariottini, 2001;

Emarginula christiaensi* Piani, 1984;

Emarginula crassaᶢ J. Sowerby, 1813;

Emarginula divae van Aartsen & Carrozza,1996 [possibly syn. of E. huzardii];

Emarginula fissura*ᶢ (Linnaeus, 1758);

Emarginula huzardii* Payraudeau, 1826;

Emarginula lorenzoi Giusti & Micali, 2019;

Emarginula multistriata* Jeffreys, 1882;

Emarginula octaviana* Coen, 1939;

Emarginula punctulum* Piani, 1980;

Emarginula pustula* Thiele in Kuester, 1913;

Emarginula rosea*ᶢ Bell T., 1824;

Emarginula sicula*ᶢ Gray, 1825;

Emarginula solidula* Costa O.G., 1829;

Emarginula tenera* Locard, 1891;

Emarginula tuberculosa* Libassi, 1859;

Those marked * are described and illustrated in Piani (1984). Those marked ᶢ are described and illustrated from Galicia, in Trigo et al. (2018). Colour photographs, some of living specimens, can be seen on the public Facebook group Jadranska malakološka grupa at www.facebook.com/groups/863283650522178/search/?q=emarginula

 

Habits and ecology

E. fissura lives on rocky shores at LWST and sublittorally to more than 250 m depth in Britain. Those on the shore are usually smaller than sublittoral specimens. In the Mediterranean it lives in deep water, usually deeper than 50 m. It is intolerant of low salinity. The slit reduces the effectiveness of the shell against dehydration so on the shore it is restricted to the underside of damp, stable rocks at LWST where emersion is of short duration on a few days each month. It favours pitted rock surfaces, often with a thin deposit of mud or detritus and with crevices it can wedge into fig. 22 flic.kr/p/2odh2bm . Any mud that enters the shell is passed forwards between mantle and foot fig. 08 flic.kr/p/2odfWnB to be expelled from the dorsal exhalant siphon.

Respiratory water enters the mantle cavity anterolaterally, passes over the pair of ctenidia and is expelled through the exhalent siphon dorsally away from the head fig. 11 flic.kr/p/2odgRo7 .

It is a sedentary species which establishes a base from which it makes periodic excursions to feed on sponges (mainly Demospongiae) and possibly detritus and diatoms which are found in their stomachs (Fretter & Graham, 1962). The pleated outer lips of the snout fig. 08 flic.kr/p/2odfWnB & fig. 10 flic.kr/p/2odeA4K can expand widely to help retain food particles loosened by the radula. The short intestine does not compact faeces into pellets, but fouling of the ctenidia is avoided as faeces are ejected clear of the animal through the exhalant siphon above the anus fig. 11 flic.kr/p/2odgRo7 .

The epipodial tentacles fig. 08 flic.kr/p/2odfWnB & fig. 09 flic.kr/p/2odgRr3 and small sensory papillae on the thickened edge of the mantle skirt fig. 12 flic.kr/p/2odezZX give warning of the approach of enemies.

The anus is flanked by the excretory aperture on its left and the urogenital one on the right. There is no penis; ova or sperm are expelled from the exhalent siphon, presumably at the same time as from other individuals in response to an environmental trigger, for external fertilization to take place. The species is dioecious but little is known about its reproduction (Fretter & Graham, 1962).

 

Distribution and status

E. fissura occurs on suitable rocky substrate from Norway and the Faroes to the Canary Islands.

It is a species of cold waters. Many records from Bretagne and further south have been [and still are] misidentifications of E. rosea. Its presence in the Mediterranean has not been accepted by all because of confusion, but it lives there in cool water at depths of 80 m to 2000 m (Piani, 1984); vacant shells occur at 50 m and deeper (A. Petani, pers. comm. 17 January 2023). Specimens found living on Mediterranean shores or in its shallow waters require close examination before being accepted as E. fissura

GBIF map www.gbif.org/species/2293448

Frequent all round Britain and Ireland on hard substrate in non-turbid water. Absent or rare in Liverpool Bay and Flamborough Head to Kent. U.K. distribution map NBN species.nbnatlas.org/species/NBNSYS0000175107

 

Acknowledgements

For use of images I thank George Brown, Ludovico Chianese, Pierre Corbrion, Roy Dahl, David Fenwick, Becky Hitchin, Raymond Huet, Michel le Quement and Rino Stanić. I thank Alen Petani for information about Mediterranean species, Jakov Prkić for constructive criticism and use of images intended for a planned book, and Florence and Marc Cochu for their assistance.

 

Links and references

 

Adams A. 1851. A Catalogue of the species of Emarginula, a genus of Gasteropodous Mollusca, belonging to the family fissurellidæ; in the collection of H. Cuming, esq. J. zool. 19 (1): 82-92. doi.org/10.1111/j.1096-3642.1851.tb01134.x

 

Bell, T. 1824. Description of a new species of Emarginula” [E. rosea], Zool. J. 1, London. p 52 and plate 4 fig. 1 www.biodiversitylibrary.org/item/47900#page/87/mode/1up

 

Forbes, E. & Hanley S. 1849-53. A history of the British mollusca and their shells. vol. 2 (1849), London, van Voorst. (As Emarginula reticulata.) archive.org/details/historyofbritish02forb/page/476/mode/...

 

Fretter, V. and Graham, A. 1962. British prosobranch molluscs. London, Ray Society.

 

Graham, A. 1988. Molluscs: prosobranch and pyramidellid gastropods. Synopses of the British Fauna (New Series) no.2 (Second edition). Leiden, E.J. Brill/W. Backhuys. 662 pages.

 

Jeffreys, J.G. 1862-69. British conchology. vol. 3 (1865). London, van Voorst. archive.org/details/britishconcholog03jeff/page/259/mode/...

 

Nordsieck, F. 1974. The genus Emarginula in the European Seas.

La Conchiglia, 6 (62). conchbooks.de/?t=642&u=49192&bookgroup=&subgr...

  

Piani, P. 1984, Revisione del genere Emarginula Lamarck, 1801 in Mediterraneo. Lavori S.I.M. 21 193 – 238. www.societaitalianadimalacologia.it/Bollettino/Lavosi%20S...

 

Reindl, S. & Haszprunar, G. 1994. Light and electron microscopical investigations on shell pores (caeca) of fissurellid limpets (Mollusca: Archaeogastropoda). J . Zool., Lond. 233 (3): 385- 404.

zslpublications.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/j.146...

  

Sowerby, J. (1812-1815). The mineral conchology of Great Britain; or coloured figures and descriptions of those remains of testaceous animals or shells, which have been preserved at various times and depths in the earth Vol. 1. London, privately published .

E. crassa p. 52, but on third p 73 of pdf at

www.biodiversitylibrary.org/item/210430#page/165/mode/1up

and top row of Plate 33 at

www.biodiversitylibrary.org/item/210430#page/164/mode/1up

 

Trigo, J.E.; Diaz Agras, G.J.; Garcia Alvarez, O.L.; Guerra, A.; Moreira, J.; Pérez, J.; Rolán, E.; Troncoso, J.S,; Urgorri, V.. 2018. Guia de los Moluscos Marinos de Galicia. Servicio de Publicacións da Universidade de Vigo.

 

Wigham, G.D. & Graham, A. 2017. Marine gastropods 1: Patellogastropoda and Vetigastropoda. Synopses of the British Fauna (New Series) no.60. (172 pages). Field Studies Council. Telford.

 

Yonge, C.M. and Thompson, T.E. 1976. Living marine molluscs. London.

 

GLOSSARY

 

anterolateral = situated on the side near the anterior.

aperture = mouth of gastropod shell; outlet for head and foot.

caecum = (pl. caeca) cul-de-sac tube or pouch.

cephalic = (adj.) of or on the head.

ctenidium = comb-like molluscan gill; usually an axis with filaments either side.

 

dioecious = having separate male and female individuals, not hermaphrodite.

ELWS = extreme low water spring tide (usually near equinoxes).

epipodial = of the epipodium (collar or circlet running round sides of foot).

epithelium = tissue forming outer layer of body surface and mantle and lining the alimentary canal and other hollow structures.

 

mantle = sheet of tissue which secretes the shell and forms a cavity for the gill

Phrygian cap = cap with a pointed crown that curls forward; worn by Phrygians and other ancient peoples.

subquadrate = approximately square.

 

Largest specimen among over 100 found at many sites over two years in Croatia; 13 mm at normal extension, 15 mm at extreme extension. Dark tubercles with fine black apices.

Sublittoral 0.6 m. Split, Croatia. August 2012. © J. Prkić.

Full SPECIES DESCRIPTION BELOW

PDF available at www.researchgate.net/publication/366988260_Doris_ocellige...

Sets of OTHER SPECIES at: www.flickr.com/photos/56388191@N08/collections/

 

Doris ocelligera (Bergh, 1881)

Authors: Jakov Prkić (images & text) and Ian F. Smith (text).

 

Synonyms: Staurodoris ocelligera Bergh, 1881; Aldisa berghi Vayssière, 1901.

Current taxonomy: World Register of Marine Species www.marinespecies.org/aphia.php?p=taxdetails&id=139620

 

GLOSSARY BELOW

 

Preface

This account is based on the original description of specimens from Trieste in Bergh (1881), Schmekel & Portmann (1982) and on detailed study by J.P. of over 100 specimens in Croatia at sites 130 to 300 km from Trieste.

Atlantic finds differ from those in the Mediterranean and have now been recognised as Doris berghi see the ‘Key Features’ section below.

 

Description

Mature adults are usually 6 mm to 12 mm long, with 15 mm maximum. Individual length varies with extension; a 13 mm specimen can become 15 mm at extreme extension fig. 01 flic.kr/p/2o8Nduc . Very rarely a specimen is found with an extreme maximum length of 20 mm when extended fig. 59 flic.kr/p/2o8NLE4 & fig. 60 flic.kr/p/2o8NLBd . Reports of 25 mm may be errors of estimation, identification or confusion. For example, the same image is shown as 25 mm at www.seaslugforum.net/find/doriocel and 15 mm at www.medslugs.de/E/Med/Doris_ocelligera/Doris_ocelligera_0... (accessed 16 December 2022).

The body varies from a depressed, very broad ellipse to a high, narrow, attenuated ellipse with almost parallel sides fig. 02 flic.kr/p/2o8TvVC . The mantle is usually a dull or dark shade of brown, green or ochre fig. 03 flic.kr/p/2o8TvUv but, occasionally, bright yellow, bright orange-yellow fig. 04 flic.kr/p/2o8SDTh , black-grey fig. 05 flic.kr/p/2o8TXVr or blue-grey fig. 06 flic.kr/p/2o8SDLy are locally common. Usually the notum is darkest at the centre, but occasionally there are darker dorsolateral bands fig. 07 flic.kr/p/2o8SDKb . The mantle often has fine black-brown specks fig. 08 flic.kr/p/2o8SDD4 .

The mantle is covered by well-spaced, spiculose tubercles, variable in number and size with shape ranging from low rounded fig. 09 flic.kr/p/2o8TvCo to conical with obtuse tip fig. 10 flic.kr/p/2o8TvyL , but always widest at base. Often, some tubercles are inflated; the proportion varies from none fig. 08 flic.kr/p/2o8SDD4 to almost all fig. 07 flic.kr/p/2o8SDKb . Those with many inflated tubercles (rare) could be confused with small D. verrucosa. The tubercles are usually darker than the mantle fig. 01 flic.kr/p/2o8Nduc and/or have a dark apical spot giving the mantle an ocellated appearance fig. 11 flic.kr/p/2o8TXDE . The number of tubercles with dark apices varies from very few fig. 12 flic.kr/p/2o8TXCx to almost all fig. 11 flic.kr/p/2o8TXDE . Tubercles lacking dark pigment may be concolorous with the mantle. Detritus often adheres to tubercles.

There are up to twenty short, irregularly arranged, spicules in large tubercles fig. 13 flic.kr/p/2o8NMUZ . Seen under magnification in good light, some spicules may protrude from the tubercles fig. 14 flic.kr/p/2o8SDxN ; protrusion varies with the condition of the specimen. A few tubercle-spicules may be much longer than others. Long spicules in the mantle radiate from the base of tubercles and meet others, often giving a quilted appearance to the mantle fig. 03 flic.kr/p/2o8TvUv . Spicules are usually visible in the translucent underside of the mantle fig. 15 flic.kr/p/2o8SDwA .

The rhinophores have translucent pure-white fig. 03 flic.kr/p/2o8TvUv to yellowish-white fig. 16 flic.kr/p/2o8NMSe lamellae which strongly contrast with the frequently dull or dark mantle. There are two large spatulate guard-tubercles on the rim of the rhinophore pit fig. 09 flic.kr/p/2o8TvCo . They have a smooth inner face, and curved outer face, often with projecting spicules fig. 14 flic.kr/p/2o8SDxN . The rim of the rhinophore-pit is often raised into collar connecting the guard-tubercles and, sometimes, merging with and obscuring them fig. 17 flic.kr/p/2o8SDug . The collar can sometimes extend into a tubular sheath fig. 18 flic.kr/p/2o8TvrG .

There are seven to ten lamellae on the distal two thirds of a fully extended rhinophore. The stem is smooth, transparent and colourless fig. 19 flic.kr/p/2o8TXvP , but very often appears tinted when the enclosing tubular sheath is translucent fig. 11 flic.kr/p/2o8TXDE & fig. 20 flic.kr/p/2o8NMMK . The stem is often retracted, leaving only the lamellae exposed fig. 21 flic.kr/p/2o8Tvph . When the entire rhinophore retracts, the guard-tubercles may close over it fig. 14 flic.kr/p/2o8SDxN .

The unipinnate gills fig. 10 flic.kr/p/2o8TvyL are usually tilted backwards fig. 09 flic.kr/p/2o8TvCo ; there are nine or ten on adults fig. 22 flic.kr/p/2o8SDqo and six to eight on smaller individuals. The posterior gills are usually smaller than the anterior ones. They are translucent with fine black-brown specks. Their colour varies with the density and extent of the specks, from much darker than the mantle fig. 09 flic.kr/p/2o8TvCo to, occasionally, concolorous fig. 12 flic.kr/p/2o8TXCx or lighter fig. 06 flic.kr/p/2o8SDLy . Sometimes, there is a dark line on the main rib of each plume which meets others at the central anus fig. 23 flic.kr/p/2o8NMKk . The branchial pocket is surrounded by a collar carrying about one spatulate guard-tubercle per plume fig. 24 flic.kr/p/2o8RhrU ; often about half of the tubercles are noticeably larger than the others. When the gills retract, the collar with tubercles may extend upwards to form a sheath around them. The guard-tubercles have a flat, smooth, inner face and slightly rounded, spiculose, outer face.

The head has a very variable oral-lobe on each side of the mouth fig. 25 flic.kr/p/2o8SDnH . The lobes have a cavity distally, but it is often difficult to discern. The mouth is usually concealed in a groove between the oral lobes but, when everted, it is a large, thick-rimmed circle.

When in motion, the foot protrudes beyond the posterior edge of the mantle, and many long internal spicules are visible fig. 26 flic.kr/p/2o8SDmL . The anterior margin is bilaminate with no vertical notch fig. 25 flic.kr/p/2o8SDnH . The translucent sole is yellow to orange-yellow with no pigment marks, and it reveals grey-green, brown or bright yellow viscera and contrasts with the underside of dark mantles fig. 27 flic.kr/p/2o8Tvjs . Occasionally, pale individuals have a yellowish-white sole with very distinct spicules fig. 26 flic.kr/p/2o8SDmL . The dorsal foot-surface is a similar colour to that of the sole but often also has darker speckles fig. 18 flic.kr/p/2o8TvrG .

 

Key identification features

All forms and similar species described below vary; difficult to determine variations and deviations may occur.

Doris ocelligera Mediterranean form.

A characteristic Mediterranean specimen is less than 16 mm long and has a dark opaque body with contrasting white rhinophores and dark gills. The tubercles are dark, broad-based domes or cones, frequently with a dark apical spot.

1) The rhinophores have translucent pure-white fig. 03 flic.kr/p/2o8TvUv to yellowish-white fig. 16 flic.kr/p/2o8NMSe lamellae which strongly contrast with the frequently dull or dark mantle.

2) Tubercles vary in number and size with shape ranging from low rounded fig. 09 flic.kr/p/2o8TvCo to conical with obtuse tip fig. 10 flic.kr/p/2o8TvyL , but always widest at base. They are often much darker than the mantle and/or have a dark apical spot fig. 11 flic.kr/p/2o8TXDE .

3) Spawn, canary-yellow, not undulated, ribbon in loose coil of less than three turns fig. 53 flic.kr/p/2o8RgDg , diameter usually under 10 mm.

4) Large range of mantle colours: usually a dull or dark shade of brown, green or yellow fig. 03 flic.kr/p/2o8TvUv , but occasionally bright yellow, bright orange-yellow fig. 04 flic.kr/p/2o8SDTh , black-grey fig. 05 flic.kr/p/2o8TXVr or blue-grey fig. 06 flic.kr/p/2o8SDLy . Not usually translucent. Mantle often has a quilted appearance.

5) Mature adults usually 6 mm to 12 mm long, usual maximum 15 mm, very rarely 20 mm at extreme extension,.

6) Seen under magnification in good light, some spicules can be seen protruding from tubercles fig. 14 flic.kr/p/2o8SDxN .

7) Tubercles sometimes dark. Dark apical spot on most specimens.

8) Two large spiculose, spatulate guard-tubercles on rim of rhinophore pit fig. 09 flic.kr/p/2o8TvCo .

9) Up to ten spiculose, spatulate guard-tubercles at base of gill fig. 24 flic.kr/p/2o8RhrU .

10) Up to ten unipinnate gills fig. 10 flic.kr/p/2o8TvyL , often much darker than mantle.

11) No linear oral tentacles, but very variable oral-lobe on each side of mouth fig. 25 flic.kr/p/2o8SDnH . Lobe has cavity distally, but often difficult to discern.

12) Precise range limits uncertain; it may extend into the Atlantic in Iberia or intergrade there with the Atlantic form.

 

Doris cf. ocelligera from north-west European Atlantic. EDIT 2024: Molecular sequencing has shown that this is Doris berghi, (Vayssière, 1901).

Features 1 to 4 in particular usually differ from Mediterranean D. ocelligera.

A characteristic Atlantic specimen of D. berghi is less than 16 mm long and has a pale translucent body with concolorous rhinophores and gills. The tubercles are roughly columnar or narrowed at the base and are concolorous with the mantle except for a frequent dark apical spot.

1) Rhinophores concolorous with pale mantle fig. 28 flic.kr/p/2o8Tvg6 & fig. 29 flic.kr/p/2o8Tvfp .

2) Tubercles distally irregular, almost columnar or with narrower base fig. 28 flic.kr/p/2o8Tvg6 & fig. 30 flic.kr/p/2o8SDh2 not a broad based dome .

3) Spawn a whitish or yellowish white, undulating ribbon in a coil of less than three complete turns fig. 31 flic.kr/p/2o8TXgL .

4) Small range fig. 57 flic.kr/p/2o8Rgxp of pale mantle colours between white fig. 28 flic.kr/p/2o8Tvg6 and yellowish fig. 29 flic.kr/p/2o8Tvfp ; often very translucent showing viscera fig. 32 flic.kr/p/2o8RhhR . But occasional exceptions fig. 33 flic.kr/p/2o8SDbk & fig. 34 flic.kr/p/2o8SD8u .

5) Maximum length uncertain, 7 mm to 15 mm on available images. Some divers’ estimates of 20 mm.

6) Detritus frequently catches on tubercles; may be because of projecting spicules fig. 28 flic.kr/p/2o8Tvg6 & fig. 34 flic.kr/p/2o8SD8u .

7) Tubercles concolorous with mantle and often have a dark apical spot fig. 29 flic.kr/p/2o8Tvfp & fig. 30 flic.kr/p/2o8SDh2 .

8) Guard-tubercles present at base of rhinophores fig. 30 flic.kr/p/2o8SDh2 & fig. 32 flic.kr/p/2o8RhhR but no extended sheath observed.

9) Spatulate guard-tubercles at base of gills fig. 30 flic.kr/p/2o8SDh2 .

10) Up to nine unipinnate gills, concolorous with mantle or paler fig. 28 flic.kr/p/2o8Tvg6 ; rare exceptions may have orange gills when mantle white fig. 34 flic.kr/p/2o8SD8u .

11) [No images of head available].

12) Precise range limits uncertain; it may extend into the Mediterranean or intergrade in Iberia with the Mediterranean form.

 

Similar species

Doris verrucosa Linnaeus, 1758.

The large size of adult D. verrucosa, to 70 mm, immediately distinguishes it from both forms of D. ocelligera with usual maximum length 15 mm. No specimens or web image of D.verrucosa under 20 mm length have been knowingly viewed, so it is uncertain if the features below apply to juveniles shorter than 15 mm.

1) Rhinophores concolorous with mantle fig. 35 flic.kr/p/2o8RhaX & fig. 39 flic.kr/p/2o8TWYG , or nearly so. Sometimes flecked with fine brown spots fig. 36 flic.kr/p/2o8NMpf . Stem swollen when not fully extended, but form a continuous cone with the distal lamellate section when fully extended fig. 42 flic.kr/p/2o8TWUJ .

2) Tubercles, vary from very small to very large and swollen with narrow bases fig. 37 flic.kr/p/2o8TX7T .

3) Spawn is a white or yellow undulated ribbon deposited in a spiral fig. 38 flic.kr/p/2o8NMod . Diameter usually over 20 mm.

4) Ground colour of mantle usually whitish, yellow fig. 39 flic.kr/p/2o8TWYG , orange-brown fig. 40 flic.kr/p/2o8SCUi , light violet, or greyish, sometimes with dark dorso-lateral bands fig. 41 flic.kr/p/2o8RgWR .

5) Adult length often 40 mm, up to 70mm.

6) Tubercles smooth without protruding spicules, but adhering detritus may give rough appearance fig. 42 flic.kr/p/2o8TWUJ .

7) Tubercles concolorous with mantle fig. 39 flic.kr/p/2o8TWYG & fig. 43 flic.kr/p/2o8NM8d or a slightly darker shade fig. 37 flic.kr/p/2o8TX7T , occasionally darkened apically fig. 40 flic.kr/p/2o8SCUi .

8) Two smooth large spatulate guard-tubercles on rim of rhinophore pit fig. 35 flic.kr/p/2o8RhaX .

9) Gills protected by spatulate guard-tubercles fig. 41 flic.kr/p/2o8RgWR & fig. 43 flic.kr/p/2o8NM8d .

10) Gills unipinnate and concolorous with fig. 39 flic.kr/p/2o8TWYG , or nearly so fig. 41 flic.kr/p/2o8RgWR or darker than the mantle.

11) Head has short, grooved oral tentacles (Thompson and Brown 1984).

12) Occurs in the Mediterranean and Atlantic coast north to Brittany. A few uncertain reports from south coast England.

 

Doris adrianae Urgorri & Señarís, 2021. fig. 44 flic.kr/p/2o9AcJy

The large size of adult D. adrianae , to 76 mm long, immediately distinguishes it from both forms of D. ocelligera with usual maximum length 15 mm. It is more likely to be confused with D. verrucosa.

1) Rhinophores concolorous with mantle.

2) Tubercles are low domes of various sizes but not greatly inflated fig. 44 flic.kr/p/2o9AcJy .

3) Spawn is a slightly greyish, hyaline white, undulating, 5 mm-wide ribbon with a brown upper edge. It is deposited as a spiral of two to two and a half turns.

4) Mantle yellow to orange-yellow.

5) Adult often 40 mm to 55 mm long and 30 mm to 40 mm wide.

6) Tubercles have nodose surface, resembling cauliflower fig. 45 flic.kr/p/2o9xCvr . Lattice of radiating spicules within tubercles may be visible, but do not protrude; animal feels very stiff.

7) Tubercles concolorous with mantle, no dark apical mark.

8) Rhinophores have tall sheaths with very small tubercles on their surface, but no spatulate guard-tubercles fig. 45 flic.kr/p/2o9xCvr .

9) Gills surrounded at their base by sheath with very small tubercles on its surface, but no spatulate guard-tubercles fig. 46 flic.kr/p/2o9yUTN .

10) Gills translucent whitish with opaque white and dark marks fig. 46 flic.kr/p/2o9yUTN . Tripinnate with wide ragged pinnae; arranged around tall, tubular anal papilla fig. 47 flic.kr/p/2o9Acpf .

11) Head has two lateral oral lobes.

12) First described in 2021 from Galicia, north-west Spain. Also from Portugal and on mud among detritus at 30 to 40 m depth in Bretagne, France fig 48 flic.kr/p/2o9zMGY . As only recently recognised it may be more widespread.

 

Habits and ecology

D. ocelligera is found under intertidal stones fig. 49 flic.kr/p/2o8TuKm and sublittorally, to about 25 m depth in the Mediterranean. The diet is uncertain and may vary geographically. In Croatia, it probably feeds on the early growth stages of various sponge species, including a membranous canary-yellow species sometimes found adhering to underside of rocks with D. ocelligera fig. 50 flic.kr/p/2o8RgRa .

In Cornwall, faeces of D. berghi contain sponge-spicules, possibly of a Halichondria species fig. 51 flic.kr/p/2o8NM1V .

Like other nudibranchs, both forms are simultaneous hermaphrodites.

D. ocelligera in Croatia, when 6 mm and longer, breed from June to October and in January fig. 52 flic.kr/p/2o8NLTk . Canary-yellow, not-undulated, ribbons of spawn are attached by the edge in a loose coil of up to about two and a half turns fig. 53 flic.kr/p/2o8RgDg , diameter 3 to 8 mm, rarely to 20 mm with three turns if laid by an unusually big individual. The ova may be arranged in the ribbon in distinct transverse lines of about 15 ova each, but may become disordered.

D. berghi in north-west Europe deposit whitish or yellowish white, undulating ribbons of spawn in a coil in July fig. 31 flic.kr/p/2o8TXgL and probably in other summer months.

 

Distribution and status

D. ocelligera sensu stricto lives in the Mediterranean including the Adriatic and the North African coast.

Specimens recorded in the Atlantic fig. 32 flic.kr/p/2o8RhhR , D. berghi, It was first recorded (as D. ocelligera) in Britain in 2003 in southern Cornwall fig. 54 flic.kr/p/2o8SCs6 and 2004 in Dorset (Rudman, 2009). Since then, it has been recorded over sixty times as far as Dorset and North Devon fig. 55 flic.kr/p/2o8TWy8 , and several have been found on the west of Ireland fig. 56 flic.kr/p/2o8TWxw and, in 2020, one in Skye, Scotland fig. 58 flic.kr/p/2oaFco8 NBN map species.nbnatlas.org/species/NHMSYS0021056225 (accessed 21 December 2022). It is locally common; over 30 being found at a time in Cornwall fig. 57 flic.kr/p/2o8Rgxp (D. Fenwick, pers. comm., 21 December 2022). Since 2020, several have been recorded from the Oosterschelde estuary in the Netherlands GBIF map www.gbif.org/species/5724728 .

 

Acknowledgements

The images in this account are by author Jakov Prkić and the following photographers whom we gratefully thank: Glenn Biscop, Sarah Bowen, Pierre Corbrion, Robert Durrant, David Fenwick, David Kipling, Katherine Knight, Leo Lanča, Paolo Mariottini, Alen Petani, Siôn Roberts, François Roche, Daniel Rodrigues, João Pedro Silva, Stefan Verheyen and Carla van Westing.

 

References and links

Bergh L.S.R. 1881. Malacologische Untersuchungen, in: Semper, C.G., 1887. Reisen im Archipel der Philippinen. pp 79-128. Wiesbaden, Germany.

As Staurodoris ocelligera pp. 95-98 www.biodiversitylibrary.org/item/50267#page/133/mode/1up

& plate H fig.11-21 (internal anatomy) archive.org/details/malacologischeun04berg/page/n359/mode...

 

Fenwick, D. (accessed December 2022) Aphotomarine, images of marine molluscs. www.aphotomarine.com/

 

Koehler, E. Sea slugs of the Mediterranean Sea and elsewhere. www.medslugs.de/E/Med/select.htm

 

Prkić, J., Petani, A., Iglić, Đ. and Lanča, L. 2018. Opisthobranchs of the Adriatic Sea. Photographic atlas and list of Croatian Species. Croatia.

 

Renau, M. F., Salvador, X., & Moles, J. 2024. Molecular and morpho-anatomical assessment of the family Dorididae (Mollusca, Nudibranchia) in the Mediterranean and North-East Atlantic. European Journal of Taxonomy. 943(1): 59–79. doi.org/10.5852/ejt.2024.943.2585 or europeanjournaloftaxonomy.eu/index.php/ejt/article/view/2...

 

Rudman, W.B. 2006 Doris ocelligera (Bergh, 1881). [In] Sea Slug Forum. Australian Museum, Sydney. www.seaslugforum.net/factsheet/doriocel [Includes Mediterranean and Atlantic forms/species and confused maximum length; see description above].

 

Rudman, W.B. 2009 (Aug 21). Comment on first sighting of Doris ocelligera in the UK by David Kipling. [Message in] Sea Slug Forum. Australian Museum, Sydney. www.seaslugforum.net/find/22611

 

Schmekel, L. & Portmann, A. 1982. Opisthobranchia des Mittelmeeres. Berlin- Heidelberg. www.seaslugforum.net/find/22611

 

Urgorri, V., Señarís, M.P., Díaz-Agras, G., Candás, M. & Gómez-Rodríguez, C. 2021. Doris adrianae sp. nov. (Heterobranchia; Nudibranchia; Doridina) from the Galician coasts (NW Iberian Peninsula). Nova Acta Científica Compostelana (Bioloxía) 28: 1-33.

www.researchgate.net/publication/350290829_Doris_adrianae...

 

Glossary

cephalic = (adj.) of or on the head.

cf. = abbreviation of ‘confer’, Latin for ‘compare’, inserted into name when resemblance indicates a possible but uncertain identity.

 

dorid = a sea slug in the infraorder Doridoidei; usually with gills and rhinophores on the dorsum; often shaped like half a lemon or grape.

 

dorsolateral = at or near junction/merging of dorsal and lateral surfaces.

hermaphrodite, simultaneous = individual acts as both male and female at the same time with similar partner(s).

 

lamellae = (sing. lamella) small plates on rhinophores, or leaflets of gill.

mantle = (of sea slugs) sheet of tissue forming part or all of notum.

notum = dorsal body surface.

nudibranch = seaslugs in the order Nudibranchia with no shell when adult.

ocellated = having eye-like markings.

pinna = (pl. pinnae) primary element/leaflet of a pinnate gill, leaf, feather etc.

plankton = animals and plants that drift in pelagic zone (main body of water).

rhinophores (pl.) = chemo-receptor tentacles on top of head of nudibranch.

sensu lato = (abbreviation s.l.) in the wide sense, possibly an aggregate of more than one species.

 

sensu stricto = (abbreviation s.s.) in the strict sense, excluding species that have been aggregated or confused with it.

 

spicule (in dorid seaslugs) = small, slender, sharp-pointed feature mainly composed of calcite (CaCO3) and brucite (Mg(OH)2) .

 

tripinnate = (of gill plume) threefold branching; “boughs, branches, twigs” in one plane like a feather.

 

unipinnate = (of gill plume) branching singly; boughs but no subsequent branches or twigs, in one plane like a feather.

 

veliger = shelled larva of marine gastropod or bivalve mollusc which swims by beating cilia of a velum (bilobed flap).

 

Section of shell at over 10X magnification.

Parts of nine transverse growth bands, each with short sections of spiral striae which are slightly offset from the striae in adjacent bands. This gives the spiral striae a slightly jagged/flexed appearance.

Height 21.2 mm, strandline shell, South Devon, England, May 2017, Leg. H. Morgenroth & K. Rose.

 

SPECIES DESCRIPTION BELOW

Sets of OTHER SPECIES: www.flickr.com/photos/56388191@N08/collections/

 

Haminoea navicula (da Costa, 1778)

Revised 24th April 2024.

Synonyms: Bulla navicula da Costa, 1778; Bulla cornea Lamarck, 1822; Haminoea cornea (Lamarck, 1822); Bulla hydatis auct. non Linnaeus.

 

Current taxonomy: World Register of Marine Species (WoRMS)

www.marinespecies.org/aphia.php?p=taxdetails&id=140075

Meaning of name: Bulla (Latin) = bubble; navicula (Latin) = small boat, a skiff.

Vernacular: (of this and related species) Bubble shell; Kopfschildschnecke (German).

 

GLOSSARY below.

 

Shell description

The shell grows up to 32 mm high in Britain (longest dimension; top of protruding aperture to base of shell) 01Hn flic.kr/p/V77hgA , over 50 mm in Mediterranean. It is a very thin, fragile, slightly glossy, translucent, white, swollen ‘bubble’, with fine growth lines and spiral striae visible at 10X magnification when tilted to catch the light 02Hn flic.kr/p/2a3abiy . In close view, the spiral striae are slightly jagged because the segment between each pair of growth lines is slightly offset from the segment between the adjacent pairs of growth lines 03Hn flic.kr/p/VrGpWf . When present, the slightly jagged spiral striae are diagnostic in northwest Europe, but they are weakly developed on young shells 02Hn flic.kr/p/2a3abiy , are often partially or completely worn off dead beached shells 04Hn flic.kr/p/VrGpKJ and usually indiscernible on in situ images of live specimens 05Hn flic.kr/p/2jGz1eK & 06Hn flic.kr/p/2pJ1idA .

Fresh shells have a brownish yellow periostracum 07Hn flic.kr/p/2jGvxg9 which, on beached shells, survives wear best on the body whorl just within the aperture where it is overlaid by translucent nacre deposited by the mantle 04Hn flic.kr/p/VrGpKJ .

The involute spire, sunk below the encompassing final whorl, resembles an umbilicus 08Hn flic.kr/p/V77fZC . No suture is visible as the spire is involute. The long aperture extends distinctly higher than the spire 01Hn flic.kr/p/V77hgA . Internally, all whorls open to and spiral round a wide central cavity instead of a solid columella 08Hn flic.kr/p/V77fZC . There is no operculum.

 

Body description

Haminoea navicula grows to a maximum length of 70 mm (Thompson, 1976). The ground colour of pale fawn to whitish is overlaid by dark brown pigment specks 05Hn flic.kr/p/2jGz1eK which are often so dense as to give a general dark brown or blackish appearance 09Hn flic.kr/p/2jGzQDS . In addition there may be some white and orange specks. There is often a distinct dark patch behind the eyes and sometimes a white line running back from it to the parting between the cephalic lobes 10Hn flic.kr/p/2mGHAMk & 11Hn flic.kr/p/2mGMi9u .The translucent shell often reveals the mantle within, which is dull orange with dark blotches 05Hn flic.kr/p/2jGz1eK & 11Hn flic.kr/p/2mGMi9u . The head is covered by a large cephalic shield which has black eyes with white surrounds positioned on it dorsally and, behind the eyes, small lateral flattened cephalic lobes 09Hn flic.kr/p/2jGzQDS which conceal the anterior of the shell. The foot extends laterally into parapodia which, when fully extended, conceal the sides of the shell but only a small part of its dorsum. If they meet, it is with no, or insignificant, overlap 10Hn flic.kr/p/2mGHAMk & 11Hn flic.kr/p/2mGMi9u . There is no discernible dividing line between the sole and the parapodia 06Hn flic.kr/p/2pJ1idA . The mantle emerges as the posterior pallial lobe from the (adapical) posterior of the shell aperture and covers the spire of the shell; it also extends to form the posterior of the animal and can be mistaken for the foot 05Hn flic.kr/p/2jGz1eK & 06Hn flic.kr/p/2pJ1idA .

 

Key identification features

Haminoea navicula

1) Shell maximum height 32 mm in Britain. Brownish yellow periostracum. Slightly jagged spiral striae flic.kr/p/VrGpWf & 07Hn flic.kr/p/2jGvxg9 . Diagnostic when present but faint on juveniles 02Hn flic.kr/p/2a3abiy , easily worn off dead shells 04Hn flic.kr/p/VrGpKJ and usually indiscernible on in situ images of live specimens 05Hn flic.kr/p/2jGz1eK & 06Hn flic.kr/p/2pJ1idA .

2) Involute spire resembles an umbilicus 08Hn flic.kr/p/V77fZC ; aperture extends beyond it 01Hn flic.kr/p/V77hgA .

3) Body maximum length 70 mm. Trapezoidal cephalic shield has two small posterior lobes which cover the anterior of the shell 09Hn flic.kr/p/2jGzQDS .

4) Cephalic shield has dorsal eyes in unpigmented patches 09Hn flic.kr/p/2jGzQDS ; sometimes difficult to discern among dark pigment spots 05Hn flic.kr/p/2jGz1eK

5) Long tall parapodial lobes may meet for a short distance on the dorsum medially with no, or small, overlap. 10Hn flic.kr/p/2mGHAMk & 11Hn flic.kr/p/2mGMi9u .

6) Wide flat pallial lobe extends from posterior 10Hn flic.kr/p/2mGHAMk & 05Hn flic.kr/p/2jGz1eK .

7) West coast of Ireland and south coast of England reaching north as far as Essex, South Wales and Donegal, Ireland and south to the Mediterranean including the Adriatic.

8) Spawn a short, broad ribbon 20 mm to 75 mm long, curved like half a wedding ring.

 

Similar species

Haminoea hydatis (Linnaeus, 1758).

Shell lectotype at linnean-online.org/16897/#?s=0&cv=0&z=-0.116%2C-0...

H. hydatis is the type species of the genus Haminoea, but its features are uncertain and authors differ; see appendix below. Although a Mediterranean species, it was omitted from Prkić et al. (2018) because of uncertainty about its features. For the same reason, no images are shown here.

1) Shell often smaller than a pea (Linnaeus, 1758), maximum height 16 mm (Lamarck, 1822). Semi-transparent shell reveals orange and white spots on mantle, and the periostracum is thin, transparent, greenish yellow (Gofas & Salas, 2011). Faint growth lines. Spiral striae absent (Malaquias, & Cervera, 2006) and none are visible in the image of the lectotype in the Linnean Shell Collection. Caution: unless shell is fresh, mature, well lit and magnified, striae are often indiscernible on H. navicula which could be then mistaken for H. hydatis.

2) Involute spire, aperture extends a little beyond it.

3) Maximum extended length of body 25 mm, light brown with numerous dark gray spots, and cephalic shield has deeply bilobed posterior margin (Gofas & Salas, 2011).

4) Cephalic shield has dorsal eyes in unpigmented patches (Malaquias, & Cervera, 2006).

5) Small parapodia cover only anterior sides of shell and do not extend to meet dorsally (Malaquias, & Cervera, 2006).

7) Mediterranean (Linnaeus, 1758), probably Atlantic France (Gofas & Salas, 2011), a few uncertain reports from Channel Islands (Sowerby, 1859). Pre 1932 records of H. hydatis in Britain were misidentified H. navicula; see appendix.

 

Akera bullata O. F. Müller, 1776

1) Shell up to 30 mm, rarely 40 mm, high. Spiral slit in suture between whorls, sealed by membrane on early whorls.

2) Truncated spire, not involute, protrudes a little beyond final whorl or hardly at all 12Hn flic.kr/p/2pHPE7X .

3) Maximum extended length of body usually 40 mm, rarely 80 mm. Grey or brownish to black with light and dark blotches and streaks.

4) Eyes on sides of head with ear-like lobes behind them 13Hn flic.kr/p/2pHQT3w .

5) Parapodial lobes meet over body and overlap.

6) No large pallial lobe extends from posterior.

7) Northern Norway to the Mediterranean and Aegean. Widely scattered sites in Britain and Ireland.

8) Spawn a long, white or yellow-white string tangled around algae,

  

Haloa japonica (Pilsbry, 1895). 14Hn flic.kr/p/2pJMbuw

(Synonym:Haminoea callidegenita).

1) Shell maximum height 20 mm. Semi-transparent, slightly yellowish shell reveals orange spots on mantle. Very fine, spiral lines on shell, much more inconspicuous than on Haminoea navicula.

3) Body maximum length 35 mm, translucent whitish with opaque white and brown spots; brown densest on parapodia and centre of cephalic shield where orange-brown buccal mass may also be visible. Long cephalic lobes usually overlap each other.

4) Cephalic shield has dorsal eyes in unpigmented patches

5) Often parapodia cover only anterior sides of shell but can extend to meet dorsally with little or no overlap.

6) Posterior pallial lobe can extend considerably.

7) Japan and south-east Asia. Introduced to Pacific North America and to Europe between Netherlands, Iberia and Mediterranean. Not Britain in 2024. Salinity 20‰ to 45‰ , optimum 30‰ to 40‰ (Trkov et al. 2024).

8) Irregular spawn mass contains large yellow ova, attached to vegetation.

 

Haminella solitaria (Say, 1822).

Main information source: Wranik (2018).

1) Maximum shell height 12 mm in Baltic, occasionally 20 mm in USA. Thin brown periostracum quickly lost after death leaving whitish shell. Smooth spiral lines on shell; not slightly jagged 15Hn flic.kr/p/2pK9LNF

2) Involute spire resembles an umbilicus; aperture extends slightly beyond it, but not as far as on H. navicula 15Hn flic.kr/p/2pK9LNF .

3) In Germany, extended body length about 20 mm in July/August; smaller sizes, 2 to 4 mm, found in October/November and Spring. Posterior of cephalic shield deeply incised into two large pointed lobes which sometimes overlap each other 16Hn flic.kr/p/2pK3c3Z .

4) Eyes hidden by opaque tissue on adults 16Hn flic.kr/p/2pK3c3Z and but visible through cephalic shield of juveniles 18Hn flic.kr/p/2pM9Fwz .

5) Parapodial lobes may meet on the dorsum medially, and sometimes overlap 16Hn flic.kr/p/2pK3c3Z & 17Hn flic.kr/p/2pMaTGM .

7) North America from Gulf of Saint Lawrence to South Carolina, unconfirmed reports from Florida. Introduced c. 2016 in Baltic waters of Germany, Denmark, Norway and south coast of Sweden. Not Britain 2024.

8) Spherical spawn mass, c. 20 mm diameter 19Hn flic.kr/p/2pM43Wp ; anchored in sediment by narrow extension.

 

Other European species of Haminoeidae

From Mediterranean and southern Europe, but not recorded in Britain: Haminoea exigua (Schaefer, 1992), H. fusari (Alvarez, Garcia & Villani, 1993), H. orbignyana (Férussac, 1822), H. orteai Talavera, Murillo & Templado, 1987 and H. templadoi Garcia, Perez-Hurtado & Garcia-Gomez, 1991.

 

Habits and ecology

H. navicula lives intertidally and in the shallow sublittoral on mud and muddy sand, with Ulva or Zostera in lagoons, estuaries, tidal rivers and other sheltered waters, often at low salinity. It cannot swim, except as a larva. Adults crawl, often in a procession 20Hn flic.kr/p/2jGyYCJ with each following, by feel and/or by chemoreception, the mucus band left by its predecessor 10Hn flic.kr/p/2mGHAMk .

Its diet is uncertain, but is probably similar to that of the related H. orbygniana which is “ herbivorous, stenophagic and probably non-selective, feeding mainly on diatoms (67.61%) and occasionally on vegetal detritus (4.16%) and Foraminifera (0.04%), but also including sand grains as an important part of the gut contents (28.34%).” (Malaquias et al., 2004). H. navicula gathers food with a pair of jaws and a radula with about 18 rows of teeth. It has a gizzard in its foregut with three curved plates bound into a bundle by strong muscles 21Hn flic.kr/p/2a3aazu . The plates’ tapered, curved anteriors form the opening of a funnel through which food, including the hard frustules of diatoms, enters to be ground by 8-15 ribs on the convex, inner surface of each plate, which is stained rufous and yellow probably by hardening minerals. The concave whitish outer surface of each plate is smooth.

The speckling of the body disrupts its outline and matches well the substrates it lives on. It breeds in spring and summer in Britain and the Atlantic coast of France. Spawn is produced in short thick bands, length 20 mm to 75 mm, which curve to resemble half a wedding ring 22Hn flic.kr/p/2jGvvVi . A mass 55 mm long contains about 7700 ova (Malaquias et al. 2006). Veliger larvae emerge from the ova and live in the plankton for a time before settling and metamorphosing.

 

Distribution and status

H. navicula occurs on the west coast of Ireland and the south coast of England reaching north as far as Suffolk, South Wales and Donegal, Ireland and south to the Mediterranean including the Adriatic. GBIF map www.gbif.org/species/2291477 ; the isolated record in southern Norway is most probably a misidentified Haminella solitaria which is established in the area. U.K. map NBN species.nbnatlas.org/species/NBNSYS0000175664 .

 

Appendix

Linnaeus (1758) described specimens from the Mediterranean as Bulla hydatis thus (in translation), ‘Shell rounded, transparent, longitudinally substriated [= faint growth lines], apex like an umbilicus. Size often smaller than a pea’. Two of his specimens survive in the Linnean Shell collection and the image of one regarded as the lectotype is at linnean-online.org/16897/#?s=0&cv=0&z=-0.116%2C0%... . Subsequently, the name was used by many authors for larger specimens from Britain.

Da Costa (1778) described such specimens from Weymouth, England, in more detail, calling them Bulla navicula (da Costa, 1778). There were some differences; larger size, that of a ‘filberd’ (hazel nut) and ‘extreme fine transverse striae, hardly perceivable’ [= fine spiral striae], but British authors continued use of B. hydatis auct., encouraged no doubt by da Costa indicating he thought that it was the same as B. hydatis Linnaeus 1758 by putting its name and the description by Linnaeus at the start of his new description.

Lamarck (1822) accepted two species; Bulla hydatis Linnaeus 1758 with small size (maximum length 16 mm) from the Mediterranean and Bulla cornea Lamarck 1822 with larger size (maximum length 22.5 mm) from Britain, matching the description and region of Bulla navicula da Costa 1778. Sowerby (1859) followed Lamarck with Bulla hydatis Linnaeus 1758 and Bulla cornea Lamarck 1822, with synonym for the latter stated as B. navicula da Costa 1778, but most British workers continued applying the name B. hydatis auct. to B. navicula da Costa 1778.

Both Forbes and Hanley (1853) and Jeffreys (1867) admitted the possibility of two species but continued to use the name Bulla hydatis auct. for the larger, spirally striated Bulla navicula da Costa found in Britain, and most other British authors did likewise. The detailed descriptions and images in Forbes and Hanley (1853) and Jeffreys (1867) leave no doubt of them fitting the description of Bulla navicula da Costa. Jeffreys mentioned the genus name Haminæa or Haminea (misspellings of Haminoea Turton & Kingston, 1830), but did not adopt use of it.

British authors (Chaster et al. 1901; Marshall 1912, McClelland 1923, and Step 1927) continued use of B. or H. hydatis auct. for H. navicula until about the time when Winckworth (1932) published a British list with Haminoea hydatis (Linnaeus, 1758) and Haminoea navicula (da Costa,1778), [referencing to Forbes & Hanley and Jeffreys’ descriptions of the latter as B. hydatis auct.]

Winckworth’s usage has continued to the present (McMillan 1968, Thompson 1976, Seaward 1982 and WoRMS accessed April 2024.) This is reflected on NBN Atlas (accessed April 2024) which has 103 records of H. navicula (da Costa, 1778) on the south coast of England reaching north as far as Essex, South Wales and Donegal, Ireland.

For H. hydatis (Linnaeus 1758), which probably gets no further north than the Channel Islands, NBN has a few very dubious records. They are Tenby, Wales in 1899 and Walton-on-the Naze, Essex in 1907 when the name was misused for H. navicula (da Costa 1778) which was found living c. 10 km from Walton in Essex in 2019 and Suffolk in 2020, three highly improbable records in Shetland 1995 and one from an oil platform in the northern North Sea in 1988 hundreds of kilometres north of the probable limit of H. hydatis in the Channel Islands.

Acknowledgements

I thank Holly Morgenroth, Adrian Price, Kate Rose, Malcolm Storey and Steve Trewhella for providing specimens to photograph, and Frédéric Andre, Clive Craik, Marina Kapeller, Leo Lancia, Johan Prehn, Adrian Price, Jakov Prkić, Rob Spray, Rino Stanić, Dawn Watson and Wolfgang Wranik for use of images. The information provided by Jakov Prkić and Wolfgang Wranik is gratefully acknowledged.

 

Links and references

Chaster, G.W., Knight, G.A.F., Melvill, J.C. and Hoyle, W.E. 1901. List of British marine mollusca and brachiopoda. Manchester, Conchological Society of Great Britain and Ireland. p. 17.

 

Costa, E.M. da. 1778. Historia naturalis testaceorum Britanniae or, the British conchology. London, Milan, White, Elmsley & Robson. p 28. www.biodiversitylibrary.org/page/13116783#page/48/mode/1up

 

Forbes, E. & Hanley S. 1853. A history of the British mollusca and their shells. vol. 3, London, van Voorst. (H. navicula as Bulla hydatis) 530-533. archive.org/stream/ahistorybritish05forbgoog#page/n544/mo... .

Vol 1, Plate UU, live specimen (H. navicula as Bulla hydatis) archive.org/stream/historyofbritish01forb#page/n733/mode/2up

Vol. 4, Plate cxiv D, vacant shell (H. navicula as Bulla hydatis) archive.org/details/historyofbritish04forbe/page/n589/mod...

 

Fretter, V. 1939. The structure and function of the alimentary canal of some tectibranch molluscs, with a note on excretion. Trans. Roy. Soc. Edinb. 59 : 599 – 646.

 

Garstang, W. 1890. A complete list of the opisthobranchiate mollusca found at Plymouth; with further observations on their morphology, colours and natural history. J. mar. biol. Ass. U.K. 1(4): 399-457. plymsea.ac.uk/50/ .

 

Gofas, S. and Salas, D.M. & C. 2011 Moluscos marinos de Andalucía Universidad de Málaga.

 

Jeffreys, J.G. 1862-69. British conchology. vol. 4 (1867). London, van Voorst. pp. 437 to 439 (as Bulla hydatis) archive.org/stream/britishconcholog04jeff#page/436/mode/2up .

 

Lamarck, [J.-B. M.] de. (1822). Histoire naturelle des animaux sans vertèbres. Tome sixième, 2me partie. Paris: published by the Author, 232 pp.

www.biodiversitylibrary.org/pdf4/1692679i00047441.pdf

 

Linnean Society, The Linnean Shell Collection linnean-online.org/shells.html . As Bulla hydatis linnean-online.org/16897/#?s=0&cv=0&z=-0.116%2C0%...

 

Linnaeus, C. 1758. Systema naturae. ed. 10. Holmiae, Laurentii Salvii.

p. 726 description of H. hydatis as Bulla hydatis. www.biodiversitylibrary.org/page/726886#page/747/mode/1up

 

Malaquias, M.A.E. and Cervera, J.L. 2006. The genus Haminoea (gastropoda: cephalaspidea) in Portugal, with a review of the European species. J. Moll. Stud., 72: 89–103 doi.org/10.1093/mollus/eyi052

Comparative matrix academic.oup.com/view-large/20465658

 

Malaquias, M.A.E., Condinho, P.S., Cervera, J.L. and Sprung, M. 2004. Diet and feeding biology of Haminoea orbygniana (Mollusca: Gastropoda: Cephalaspidea). J. Mar. Biol. Ass. U.K., 84: 767-772.

www.researchgate.net/profile/Manuel-Malaquias/publication...

 

Marshall, J. T. 1912. Additions to ‘British Conchology’ J. Conch. 13 (11): 324 – 338. p. 337.

 

McClelland, H. 1926. General index of all families, genera, species and varieties described and noted in the Journal of Conchology vols. I – XVI, 1874 to 1922. Proceedings of the Malacological Society of London vols. I – XV, 1893 to 1923. The Conchologist vols I – II, 1891 to 1893, continued as the Journal of Malacology vols. III – XII, 1894 to 1905. Birmingham, Birbeck and sons. p.78.

 

McMillan, N.F. 1968. British shells. London, Frederick Warne & co.

 

Prkić, J., Petani, A., Iglić, Đ. and Lanča, L. 2018. Opisthobranchs of the Adriatic Sea. Photographic atlas and list of Croatian Species. Croatia.

 

Seaward, D.R. 1982. Sea area atlas of the marine molluscs of Britain and Ireland. Shrewsbury, Nature Conservancy Council for the Conchological Society of G.B and Ireland.

 

Sowerby, G.B. 1859. Illustrated index of British Shells. London, Simkin, Marshall & co.

 

Step, E. 1927 (New edition). Shell life, an introduction to the British mollusca. London, Frederick Warne & co.

 

Talavera, P., Murillo, L. and Templado, J. 1987. The genus Haminoea Turton and Kingston, 1830 (Opisthobranchia, Bullomorpha) in the southeast of Spain with the description of a new species. Boll. Malacologico, Milano. (23): 53 – 68. www.biodiversitylibrary.org/page/49931247#page/63/mode/thumb

 

Thompson, T.E. 1976. Biology of opisthobranch molluscs vol.1. London, Ray Society.

 

Trkov, D., Praprotnik, E. and Lipej, L. 2024. Salinity Tolerance of Non-Native Heterobranch Sea Slug Haloa japonica Pilsbry, 1895. www.researchgate.net/publication/377683533_Salinity_Toler...

 

Turk, S.M. 1973. Concordance to the field card for British marine mollusca. London, the Conchological Society of Great Britain and Ireland. p. 34.

 

Vayssière, M.A. 1880. Recherches anatomiques sur les mollusques de la famille des Bullidés. Annales Sciences Naturelles Zoologie 9: 1 – 123.

 

Vayssière, M.A. 1885. Recherches zoologiques et anatomiques sur les mollusques opistobranches du golfe de MarseilleAnnales du Muséum d’Histoire Naturelle Marseille, Zoologie 2 (3): 1 -181. www.biodiversitylibrary.org/item/44228#page/9/mode/1up

 

Winckworth, R. 1932. The British marine mollusca. J. Conch. 19: 211-252. p.231

 

Wranik, W. and Malaquias, M.A.E. 2018. Zum Auftreten der Kopfschildschnecke Haminoea solitaria (Say, 1822) im Bereich der deutschen Ostseeküste. Mitt. dtsch. malakozool. Ges. www.dmg.mollusca.de/images/mitteilungen_dmg/mitteilungen0...

 

Glossary

auct. = (abbreviation of “auctorum”) of authors. (Used when citing name, often of another valid species, used in error by some authors).

aperture = mouth of gastropod shell; outlet for head and foot.

ELWS = extreme low water spring tide (usually near March and September equinoxes).

euryhaline = able to tolerate a wide variation in salinity.

frustule = the hard external siliceous layer of diatoms.

lectotype = single specimen selected from a group of syntypes and designated as the name-bearing type some time after the original description was published.

mantle = sheet of tissue that secretes the shell and forms a cavity for the gill in most marine molluscs. Confined to the shell-interior of most British shelled-gastropods.

 

operculum = plate of horny conchiolin used to close shell aperture of gastropods. Absent from Haminoea .

 

periostracum = thin horny layer of chitinous material often coating shells.

plankton = animals and plants that drift in pelagic zone (main body of water).

siliceous = consisting of silica

stenophagic = having a highly specialized diet.

syntype = each of a set of type specimens of equal status, upon which the description and name of a new species is based.

 

umbilicated = resembling an umbilicus (navel).

veliger = shelled larva of marine gastropod or bivalve mollusc which swims by beating cilia of a velum (bilobed flap).

 

This is a manuscript copy of al-Miṣbāḥ al-munīr fī gharīb al-Sharḥ al-Kabīr by Aḥmad ibn Muḥammad al-Muqrī al-Fayyūmī (d. ca. 770 AH / 1368 CE). It is a dictionary of Islamic legal terms that was originally written as a gloss on the commentary of ʿAbd al-Karīm al-Rāfiʿī (d. 623 AH / 1226 CE) on al-Wajīz fī al-furūʿ by Abū Ḥāmid Muḥammad ibn Muḥammad al-Ghazzālī (d. 505 AH / 1111 CE), entitled Fatḥ al-ʿazīz ʿalá kitāb al-Wajīz. The manuscript was copied by the shi`ite scribe ʿAlī ibn Muḥibb ʿAlī in 1083 AH / 1673 CE in Iran. The text was later collated with three other manuscripts in Mecca in 1166 AH / 1752 CE by Muḥammad al-Aṭrābazundī. The light brown goatskin binding with gold-tooled oval central medallion, pendants, and cornerpieces is contemporary with the manuscript.

 

To explore fully digitized manuscripts with a virtual page-turning application, please visit Walters Ex Libris.

Shell 3 mm high; usual maximum size for this species. Banded specimens have a single, broad, abapical (= in lower half of whorl), brown band on the whorls. Unusually, on this specimen it starts entire (1, also visible within the aperture) but fades into two (2) as it comes round the other side of the body whorl. Dorset, England. April 2016.

 

Full SPECIES DESCRIPTION BELOW

PDF available at:

www.researchgate.net/publication/358147781_Barleeia_unifa...

Sets of OTHER SPECIES at: www.flickr.com/photos/56388191@N08/collections/

 

Barleeia unifasciata (Montagu, 1803)

 

Synonyms: Turbo unifasciatus Montagu, 1803; Rissoa rubra J. Adams, 1797 [in Forbes & Hanley]; Barleeia rubra (J. Adams, 1797); Barleeia rubra var. pallida Jeffreys, 1867;

Derivation of scientific name: Barleeia = named after G. Barlee (friend of G. Jeffreys). unifasciata = with a single band

Vernacular: Red spire shell (English); Bandhoren (Dutch).

 

GLOSSARY BELOW

 

Shell Description

The small shell seldom exceeds 3 mm height fig. 1 flic.kr/p/2mZgKLz . Above the periphery of the body-whorl, it is conical with an almost flat-sided profile. The body-whorl forms about 70% of the shell height; above it the spire has five whorls when fully grown fig. 2 flic.kr/p/2mZi3uy . The apical angle is about 45° fig. 3 flic.kr/p/2mZi3u3 . At the apex there is globular protoconch of 1½ whorls fig. 2 flic.kr/p/2mZi3uy & fig. 8 flic.kr/p/2mZgKHU with microscopic, spiral grooves containing pits visible at X 180 magnification.

The whorls are slightly convex, almost flat, with shallow sutures. On some, the periphery of the body-whorl is slightly keeled fig. 4 flic.kr/p/2mZgbp7 . The oval aperture on adults has a white peristome fig. 3 flic.kr/p/2mZi3u3 , but no rib or labial varix . The adapical angle is about 90°. The base of the columellar lip is sometimes flared into a slight spout. There is no umbilicus, except on very young juveniles, but sometimes the columellar lip is a little everted over an umbilical groove. The exterior is smooth with no sculpture.

There are two colour forms:

a) Uniformly brownish/reddish varying from yellowish-brown or brick-red fig. 5 flic.kr/p/2mZboxB to claret-red fig. 3 flic.kr/p/2mZi3u3 or brown fig. 6 flic.kr/p/2mZi3t6 . Hence the synonym B. rubra

b) White with a single broad, spiral, abapical, brownish band fig. 2 flic.kr/p/2mZi3uy which is widest on the body whorl as it is partly covered by subsequent whorls on the spire. Hence the specific epithet unifasciata. Occasionally the brown band may separate into two narrower bands fig. 1 flic.kr/p/2mZgKLz .

Erosion can alter the colour fig. 4 flic.kr/p/2mZgbp7 and occasionally the shell is completely white. Locally, the banded or un-banded form may predominate fig. 7 flic.kr/p/2mZgKJW .

The periostracum is thin and inconspicuous. The strong, D-shaped, flexed operculum looks black on the live animal fig. 8 flic.kr/p/2mZgKHU . Its outer surface is convex and often reflects silvery with concentric growth lines around a large less-reflective excentric nucleus fig. 4 flic.kr/p/2mZgbp7 . When removed from the body fig. 9 flic.kr/p/2mZi3r2 , the concave, interior face is very dark crimson and glass-like, and has a strong medial rib which turns basally at right-angles towards the columella and projects as a pale tipped peg that embeds in the columellar muscle when live.

 

Body Description

Published descriptions of soft parts have been confused since Jeffreys (in Forbes and Hanley, 1850) described the soft parts of Peringia ulvae as those of Rissoa rubra (= B. unifasciata). Jeffreys, (1867) recognised his mistake, but the error seems to have been perpetuated by subsequent authors such as Fretter & Graham (1978).

Dorsally the head is translucent, pale-yellowish overlaid by pigment which may be a fine spray of brown, but is frequently densely black fig. 10 flic.kr/p/2mZi3qR except on the tip of the snout. Laterally and ventrally there is very little or no dark pigment; the bifid snout is yellow, and behind the tentacles the translucent white flesh reveals the reddish buccal mass fig. 11 flic.kr/p/2mZgbn3 . Ventrally, the tip of the snout has T-shaped mouth slits fig. 12 flic.kr/p/2mZbow9 . The short, smooth, un-tapered, cylindrical cephalic tentacles are translucent whitish with a substantial, interior, yellow line fig. 10 flic.kr/p/2mZi3qR . The prominent swollen base of each tentacle is yellow with a large black eye. The small foot is white except for a large blackish area to which the operculum is attached fig. 14 flic.kr/p/2mZbovh . The operculum covers 75% of the posterior part of the extended foot and protrudes far beyond its sides fig. 12 flic.kr/p/2mZbow9 & fig. 13 flic.kr/p/2mZbovC . The sole has almost parallel sides, a bilaminate, bluntly-rounded anterior and a slightly tapered, rounded posterior. The posterior pedal gland is visible through the middle of the sole as a large opaque area with a groove from it to the posterior of the foot fig. 12 flic.kr/p/2mZbow9 . The anterior pedal gland, opening through the bilaminate anterior, is also visible as an opaque area.

 

Key identification features

Barleeia unifasciata

1) Maximum shell height 3 mm. Spire-whorls of banded forms have a broad whitish adapical band, and a broad brownish-red abapical band fig. 2 flic.kr/p/2mZi3uy .

2) Operculum looks black on live animal fig. 8 flic.kr/p/2mZgKHU ; outer face convex often silvery with concentric growth rings fig. 4 flic.kr/p/2mZgbp7 ; inner face (when removed) dark ruby-red and concave with medial rib that turns at right-angles and projects as a pale tipped peg fig. 9 flic.kr/p/2mZi3r2 .

3) Head and snout pale-yellowish usually overlaid dorsally with black or brown pigment fig. 10 flic.kr/p/2mZi3qR .

4) Cephalic tentacles translucent white with swollen yellow base and substantial longitudinal yellow line fig. 10 flic.kr/p/2mZi3qR .

 

Similar species

 

Cingula trifasciata (J. Adams, 1800)

1) Maximum shell height usually 4 mm.

Spire-whorls of banded forms have broad whitish abapical band, and broad brownish-red adapical band i.e. colour positions reverse of B. unifasciata. There is often very thin brown-red band along the abapical suture. Body-whorl has three brownish-red bands). fig. 15 flic.kr/p/2mZi3pD

2) Operculum a horn-coloured, oval, excentric spiral.

3) Head and snout translucent white showing some internal yellow and red features. fig. 16 flic.kr/p/2mZbott

4) Cephalic tentacles translucent white fig. 16 flic.kr/p/2mZbott

 

Lacuna vincta (Montagu, 1803)

1) Maximum shell height usually 10 mm, but only juveniles present in summer (1-3 mm July in N. Wales) and shell relatively much wider than B. unifasciata. Spire-whorls of banded forms have diverse arrangements of bands, rarely arranged as on B. unifasciata fig. 15 flic.kr/p/2mZi3pD .

2) Operculum transparent pale horn-coloured ovoid; rapidly expanding spiral.

3) Head and snout translucent white or yellow, may be blotched aquamarine, showing some internal pink features fig. 16 flic.kr/p/2mZbott .

4) Cephalic tentacles translucent whitish fig. 16 flic.kr/p/2mZbott .

 

Peringia ulvae (Pennant, 1777)

1) Maximum shell height usually 6 mm, exceptionally 10 mm.

2.5 mm-high juvenile fig. 15 flic.kr/p/2mZi3pD might be mistaken for un-banded Barleeia unifasciata, but more yellowish and thinner shelled.

2) Operculum tear-shaped, horn-coloured, spiral. Translucent, appearing partially black on live specimen as shows dark body

3) Head and snout have variable amounts of black fig. 16 flic.kr/p/2mZbott .

4) Long, tapering, translucent white, cephalic tentacles with opaque white basal eye-patch and opaque white longitudinal line with transverse black bar near tip of tentacle fig. 16 flic.kr/p/2mZbott .

 

Habits and ecology

B. unifasciata lives on small red algae, such as Chondrus and Gelidium, growing as a turf on sheltered rocky shores near LWS, especially in pools fig. 17 flic.kr/p/2mZjYaP . In North-west Spain it is common in the Gelidium zone on the middle shore. In Britain it is often in company with Rissoa parva and, in Spain, with Bittium reticulatum. It feeds on diatoms and organic detritus entrapped by algal fronds. The density is lowest when the algal turf is at a minimum (December – May in North-west Spain).

Locomotion. The anterior pedal gland, opening in the bilaminate anterior of the foot, and many cells in the epithelium of the foot produce mucus to aid locomotion. The posterior pedal gland produces a secretion that is formed into threads by a groove in the metapodium and is hardened by contact with seawater. The threads are used for anchorage and as vertical movement supports fig. 12 flic.kr/p/2mZbow9 .

Breeds March – August at Plymouth, England, but all year with four overlapping cohorts per annum and main activity in June-November in North-west Spain. Semelparous reproduction is reported in Spain, but in Bantry Bay, Ireland, some females are reported to breed in the first and second years of life (only about 15% live into a second year, maximum age 2 years). The Bantry Bay population breeds all year, with the main period June – October and the peak in August (Southgate, 1982). Internal fertilization is with a long penis. Spawn is individual, colourless, thick-walled, spherical egg capsules, diameter 0.5 mm, containing a single, large (diameter 0.3 mm), colourless ovum embedded in albumen. Each capsule is attached to weed, such as Corallina, by a very narrow attachment. The veliger stage is passed within the capsule, feeding on albumen. A suture on the capsule ruptures and the young emerges as a crawling snail with a shell of 1½ whorls, 0.45mm high.

 

Distribution and status

Canary Isles and Mediterranean to Scotland, not North Sea or Baltic, GBIF map www.gbif.org/species/2301011 . Commonest in the south; up to 1780/m² recorded on Gelidium in north-west Spain. Found on west coasts of Britain and Ireland; most frequent in SW England and SW Wales, absent from North Sea and north-east Irish Sea. U.K. map NBN species.nbnatlas.org/species/NBNSYS0000174093

 

References and links

Estran 22. Faune et flore de la zone de balancement des marées en Côtes d’Armor (Web site).

nature22.com/estran22/mollusques/gasteropodes/gasteropode...

 

Fernandez, E., Anadon, R. & Fernandez, C. 1988. Life histories and growth of the gastropods Bittium reticulatum and Barleeia unifasciata inhabiting the seaweed Gelidium latifolium. J. Moll. Stud. 54, 119-129. www.unioviedo.es/ranadon/Ricardo_Anadon/Trabajos/Bittium%...

 

Forbes, E. & Hanley S. 1850. A history of the British mollusca and their shells. vol. 3. London, van Voorst. (As Rissoa rubra.) archive.org/stream/historyofbritish03forbe#page/120/mode/2up Contains description of the tentacles, by Jeffreys who admitted that he mistakenly described Peringia ulvae.

 

Fretter, V. and Graham, A. 1962. British prosobranch molluscs. London, Ray Society. (As Barleeia rubra).

 

Fretter, V. & Graham, A. 1978. The prosobranch molluscs of Britain and Denmark. Part 4 marine Rissoacea, J. Moll. Stud., suppl. 6, 153-241.

 

Graham, A. 1988. Prosobranch and pyramidellid gastropods. London, Linnean Society of London.

 

Jeffreys, J.G. 1867. British conchology. vol. 4. London, van Voorst. (As Barleeia rubra ;

archive.org/stream/britishconcholog04jeffr#page/56/mode/2up

 

Ponder, W.F. 1983. Review of the genera of the Barleeidae (Mollusca: Gastropoda; Rissoacea) Records of the Australian Museum 35: 231 – 281. Link to pdf at:

australianmuseum.net.au/journal/ponder-1983-rec-aust-mus-...

 

Southgate, T. 1982. The biology of Barleeia unifasciata (Gastropoda:Prosobranchia) in red algal turfs in S.W. Ireland. J.M.B.A. 62: 461 – 468. Abstract at journals.cambridge.org/action/displayAbstract?fromPage=on...

 

Current taxonomy: World Register of Marine Species (WoRMS)

www.marinespecies.org/aphia.php?p=taxdetails&id=138843

 

Glossary

abapical = away from the apex of the shell.

adapical = towards the apex of the shell.

aperture = mouth of gastropod shell; outlet for head and foot.

apical = at the apex.

bifid = divided into two parts by a cleft.

buccal mass = anterior of digestive system containing odontophore that supports anterior of radula.

 

cephalic = (adj.) of or on the head.

chitin = semitransparent flexible horny protein.

chitinous = (adj.) resembling chitin.

columella = solid or hollow axial “little column” around which gastropod shell spirals; hidden inside shell, except on final whorl next to lower part of inner lip of aperture.

 

columellar = (adj.) of or near central axis of spiral gastropod.

columellar lip = lower (abapical) part of inner lip of aperture.

conchiolin = horny flexible protein that forms the operculum of most marine gastropods, and a matrix for the deposition of calcium carbonate to create a mollusc’s shell.

 

concolorous = the same colour as.

distal = away from centre of body or point of attachment.

epithelium = tissue forming outer layer of body surface.

ELWS = extreme low water spring tide (usually near March and September equinoxes).

excentric = (of nucleus on operculum) not placed centrally.

height = (of gastropod shell): distance from apex of spire to base of aperture.

labial varix = especially strong or broad costa (rib) along edge of outer lip of aperture.

 

LWS = low water spring tide, two periods of a few days each month when tide falls lowest.

 

metapodium = hind part of the foot.

metapodial = (adj.) of the hind part of the foot.

opercular = (adj.) of the operculum.

operculum = plate of horny conchiolin, rarely calcareous, used to close shell aperture.

 

pedal = (adj.) of the foot.

periostracum = thin horny layer of chitinous material often coating shells.

peristome = (a.k.a. peritreme) rim around the shell-aperture.

plankton = animals and plants that drift in pelagic zone (main body of water).

protoconch = apical whorls produced during embryonic and larval stages of gastropod; often different in form from other whorls.

 

radula = ribbon of chitinous teeth extruded on a tongue-like structure (odontophore) to rasp food.

 

semelparous = (adj.) having single reproductive episode followed by death.

sublittoral = below level of low water spring tide

subterminal = a short distance from the end.

suture = groove or line where whorls adjoin.

umbilicus = cavity up axis of some gastropods, open as a hole or chink on base of shell, often sealed over.

 

varix = (pl. varices). Very strong or broad costa (rib) along edge of aperture (labial varix), or at previous position of labial varix during growth.

 

veliger = shelled larva of marine gastropod or bivalve mollusc which swims by beating cilia of a velum (bilobed flap).

 

velum = bilobed flap on veliger larva, with beating cilia for swimming.

  

Tergoscutal flaps: yellow with longitudinal brown ribbon. Ridged wall plates. Large, 15mm diameter, uneroded, uncrowded specimen from near surface of non-tidal marine lake, salinity 31.9ppt, Dee Estuary, England. June 2011.

 

Full SPECIES DESCRIPTION below

Sets of OTHER SPECIES at: www.flickr.com/photos/56388191@N08/collections/.

 

Balanus crenatus Bruguière, 1789 text I.F. Smith

 

Vernacular names

Crenate barnacle, Crachen hiciog (Welsh).

 

DESCRIPTION (Glossary below).

opercular aperture (top opening)

Carinal end acute, but rostral end very often rounded Bc1[flic.kr/p/bjB6Yb], or unangled, resulting in a pentagonal aperture Bc2[flic.kr/p/bxvZ8i].

opercular valves (lid plates)

Four valves; two terga and two scuta, which open along longitudinal midline with a tergum and scutum each side Bc10[flic.kr/p/bjB789]. Scutum has strong growth ridges, and very slight cross striae. Tergum has cavity into which a comb-like protruberance of the scutum extends when operculum shut Bc3[flic.kr/p/bzMNoB]. Valves erect when operculum open Bc4[flic.kr/p/bjB79f].

tergoscutal flaps (membranous seals on lid plates)

Bright yellow Bc6[flic.kr/p/bxvZap] or white Bc5[flic.kr/p/bjB76A], with brownish longitudinal ribbon near edge ranging from terracotta to purple-brown.

wall plates

Six smooth Bc5[flic.kr/p/bjB76A] or ridged Bc7[flic.kr/p/bjB7aA], white or yellow, plates with intervening triangular recessed alae and radii in upper half of wall. When uneroded, aperture rim may be crenate Bc7[flic.kr/p/bjB7aA]. Internal vertical pores of plates may be exposed by erosion Bc1[flic.kr/p/bjB6Yb]. Extremely eroded specimens resemble a mouth of bad teeth Bc6[flic.kr/p/bxvZap]

profile

When uncrowded, low truncated cone, often highest at carina Bc7[flic.kr/p/bjB7aA]. When crowded, may grow as crowded columns up to 35mm tall Bc8[flic.kr/p/bjB7cf], or as clumps with subsequent generations on each other Bc1[flic.kr/p/bjB6Yb].

base

Calcified plate with radial and concentric lines forming a web pattern Bc9[flic.kr/p/bjB725]. Detail may be eroded and unclear on worn base plates.

diameter

Usually up to about 10 mm, but can reach 25mm.

 

IDENTIFYING FEATURES

**Aperture : acute carinal end, rostral end blunt, so often a pentagon Bc2[flic.kr/p/bxvZ8i].

**Operculum: disarticulated valves have distinctive forms Bc3[flic.kr/p/bzMNoB].

**Tergoscutal flaps : Bright yellow Bc6[flic.kr/p/bxvZap] or white Bc5[flic.kr/p/bjB76A] , with longitudinal brown ribbon.

**Base plate: calcareous with “web” of radial and concentric lines when fresh Bc9[flic.kr/p/bjB725] .

**Salinity : fully marine, or nearly so.

 

SIMILAR SPECIES

Amphibalanus improvisus

**Aperture: often similar to B. crenatus, but carinal end of aperture of A. improvisus is usually much nearer the perimeter of the barnacle Ai3[flic.kr/p/bw6xAa].

**Tergoscutal flaps: Brownish white with a distinct white rim. Black-brown mark at each end and three black-brown marks on each side which cross the white rim Ai1[flic.kr/p/bvWDJg].

**Base plate: Calcareous with radial lines, often sinuous Ai8[flic.kr/p/bw6xYt]. Sometimes weak concentric lines Ai9[flic.kr/p/bw6y7v] resembling B. crenatus.

**Salinity : euryhaline; fully marine to almost fresh, but in Britain, usually only common at almost 0 p.p.t. where B. crenatus can not survive.

 

ECOLOGY

B. crenatus requires full, or near-full, marine salinity. Can live in turbid water, but not under a layer of adhering sediment. On rocks, shells and seaweed. Very common sublittorally to 200m, and near low water mark on some rocky shores. Up to surface of non-tidal marine lakes.

  

DISTRIBUTION

All round Britain and Ireland on hard substrate. See NBN map:

species.nbnatlas.org/species/NHMSYS0021052696

In Atlantic, from Arctic to Gironde, France and Long Island, USA. In Pacific, from Arctic to Japan and California. See GBIF map: www.gbif.org/species/2115701

 

GLOSSARY

ala – (pl. alae) side flange of wall plate, overlapped by radius of next plate.

carina – posterior wall plate adjoining the smaller pair of lid plates (terga). carinal – (adj.) of the carina.

cirri – (sing. cirrus) feather-like thoracic limbs used in filter feeding.

cypris – (pl. cyprids) final larval bivalved stage in barnacle development.

euryhaline – tolerant of wide range of salinities.

HW- high water level.

HWS- level of high water spring tide.

lateral plates - wall plates other than end plates (depending on sp., strictly may be rostro-lateral or carino-lateral).

LWN- level of low water neap tide.

micropyle – small breathing/sensing hole between tergoscutal flaps, sometimes visible when operculum shut. Found on spp. that are left out of water for long periods.

MLWS- level of mean low water spring tide.

MTL – mid-tide level.

opercular – (adj.) of the operculum (aperture lid).

operculum – moveable lid-like structure used to close the aperture.

paries – ( pl. parietes) central section of wall plate, flanked by alae and radii.

ppt – parts per thousand (of salt in water).

radius – (pl. radii) side flange of wall plate, overlaps ala of adjacent plate.

right – on right when barnacle viewed from above with rostrum at 12 o’clock.

rostral - (adj.) of the rostrum.

rostrum - anterior wall plate adjoining larger pair of lid plates (scuta). (Lost on Elminius and balanoids; place taken by fused rostro-laterals; referred to as rostrum for simplicity.)

scuta – (sing. scutum) the larger plates of the operculum (lid).

sessile – (adj.) permanently attached to substrate (of immobile organism).

stenohaline – unable to tolerate much variation in salinity.

terga – (sing. tergum) the smaller plates of the operculum (lid).

tergoscutal flaps - membranous “lid seals", (most visible as valves start to open).

  

REFERENCES AND LINKS

Current taxonomy

www.marinespecies.org/aphia.php?p=taxdetails&id=106215

Rainbow, P.S., 1984. An introduction to the biology of British littoral barnacles. Field studies 6: 1-51.

fsj.field-studies-council.org/media/350581/vol6.1_161.pdf

 

Southward, A.J., 2008. Barnacles. London, Linnean Society.

Fouling-Atlas association, Germany. www.fouling-atlas.org/

  

Translucent greyish white body with many blotches of brown and a few opaque white flecks. Scattering of small white flecks on the cerata.

Length 3 mm. Menai Strait, Wales, March 2011.

 

Full SPECIES DESCRIPTION BELOW

Sets of OTHER SPECIES at: www.flickr.com/photos/56388191@N08/collections/

PDF available at www.researchgate.net/publication/363701020_Eubranchus_exi...

 

Eubranchus exiguus (Alder & Hancock, 1848)

 

Current taxonomy; World Register of Marine Species (WoRMS) www.marinespecies.org/aphia.php?p=taxdetails&id=139765

Synonyms: Eolis exigua Alder & Hancock, 1848.

 

GLOSSARY BELOW

 

Description

Frequently, the body of breeding adults is 5 or 6 mm long, sometimes growing to a usual maximum of 10 mm. It is translucent greyish white with many speckles and blotches of brown fig. 01 flic.kr/p/2nMd28v or olive-green fig. 02 flic.kr/p/2nM7wzk surface pigment. There may be a few or many small opaque white spots fig. 03 flic.kr/p/2nMevnz , but no extensive areas of white. A small, black, interior eye behind each rhinophore fig. 04 flic.kr/p/2nMckow is often only faintly visible fig. 03 flic.kr/p/2nMevnz .

There are usually four or five, exceptionally seven, groups of cerata along each side of the body fig. 04 flic.kr/p/2nMckow . Each group usually has one large ceras, occasionally with one or two smaller ones. Some have very few cerata and a much exposed dorsum because of loss or lack of development fig. 05 flic.kr/p/2nMevn4 . The cerata are an urn-shape fig. 04 flic.kr/p/2nMckow which frequently pulsates expanding like a balloon fig. 06 flic.kr/p/2nMevmC and then contracting. The ceratal surface is smooth; it can bulge but never has nodular tubercles (Thompson & Brown, 1984). The apex tapers abruptly from a broad diameter to a nipple-like point. The integument of the cerata is transparent, colourless revealing the buff fig. 07 flic.kr/p/2nMdvKJ , peach fig. 06 flic.kr/p/2nMevmC , pale brown or red fig. 05 flic.kr/p/2nMevn4 internal digestive gland. The gland is much narrower than an inflated ceras fig. 06 flic.kr/p/2nMevmC . The ceratal integument has a subapical band of red, brown and/or gold and, immediately below it, a band of opaque white which tends to run into the upper band fig. 08 flic.kr/p/2nM7wxX . The two bands conceal the cnidosac within. The small extreme tip of the cerata is translucent whitish and occasionally reveals the top of the white cnidosac fig. 09 flic.kr/p/2nMevkA , and there may be a translucent whitish zone below the opaque white zone above the top of the digestive gland fig. 08 flic.kr/p/2nM7wxX . Further down the cerata there are two or three brownish or olive encircling bands fig. 09 flic.kr/p/2nMevkA which may be reduced to separated blotches fig. 04 flic.kr/p/2nMckow . The cerata often have a scattering of small white flecks fig. 01 flic.kr/p/2nMd28v , which may predominate on specimens less than 2 mm long fig. 07 flic.kr/p/2nMdvKJ .

The smooth, translucent whitish rhinophores have an opaque white subapical band and one fig. 10 flic.kr/p/2nM7wxm or two fig. 02 flic.kr/p/2nM7wzk brown bands.

The head has oral tentacles about half the length of the rhinophores with similar, but often less distinct, bands fig. 10 flic.kr/p/2nM7wxm . Ventrally the head has large outer lips which can protrude well in front of the foot fig. 08 flic.kr/p/2nM7wxX & fig. 11 flic.kr/p/2nMckmh .

The narrow foot is slightly wider at the truncated anterior fig. 08 flic.kr/p/2nM7wxX & fig. 11 flic.kr/p/2nMckmh , which has no propodial tentacles or lobes. The metapodium extends only a short distance beyond the posterior cerata fig. 07 flic.kr/p/2nMdvKJ . The sole is translucent white, edged by the brown or olive of the body.

The hermaphrodite genital aperture is below the posterior of the first group of cerata on the right fig. 03 flic.kr/p/2nMevnz & fig. 12 flic.kr/p/2nM7wwK , and sometimes has the needle-like penis protruding fig. 13 flic.kr/p/2nMdVTp . The white spheroid ovotestes are few in number and large relative to the body size. They may be visible through the sole fig. 12 flic.kr/p/2nM7wwK but pigment usually obscures the view laterally and dorsally.

 

Key identification features

Eubranchus exiguus

1) Very small, usually less than 10 mm long, frequently 4 – 6 mm.

2) Sparse urn shaped cerata fig. 04 flic.kr/p/2nMckow able to expand balloon-like fig. 06 flic.kr/p/2nMevmC , surface lacks nodular tubercles.

3) Olive or brown blotches on body, no zigzag digestive gland fig. 07 flic.kr/p/2nMdvKJ .

4) Probably common, but overlooked, all round Britain and Ireland; often present with T. tergipes. species.nbnatlas.org/species/NBNSYS0000175214

 

Similar species

Tergipes tergipes (Forsskål, 1775) fig. 14 flic.kr/p/2nMdvJB .

1) Very small, usual maximum 8 mm frequently less than 6 mm,.

2) Smooth slender cerata arranged singly along each side; their surfaces lack nodular tubercles.

3) Brown digestive gland zigzags between all cerata, except anterior one on right.

4) Common, but overlooked, all round Britain and Ireland; often present with E. exiguus. species.nbnatlas.org/species/NHMSYS0021056159

 

Capellinia doriae (Trinchese, 1874)

1) Small, maximum length 12 mm.

2) Up to seven rows of cerata each side; five or six, occasionally eight cerata per row, surface has two or three rings of white, little-globe tipped tubercles; ‘globetti bianchi’ (Trinchese, 1874) fig. 15 flic.kr/p/2nMeviS . Small juveniles have single cerata and weak tubercles but may show truncated cones, ‘coni tronchi’, in cerata fig. 16 flic.kr/p/2nM7wuA .

3) Olive or brown blotches on body, no zigzag digestive gland fig. 17 flic.kr/p/2nM7wre .

4) Mediterranean and Atlantic Europe with scattered records around Britain and Ireland. NBN UK map species.nbnatlas.org/species/NHMSYS0021324481

 

Eubranchus rupium (Møller, 1842) fig. 18 flic.kr/p/2nM7wqN

1) usually about 7 mm long, maximum about 10 mm.

2) Up to about twelve cerata, usually arranged singly, on each side. Cerata have a variable swelling near the mid-point fig. 19 flic.kr/p/2nMdvDm , but the surface lacks ‘globetti bianchi’ (white. little-globe tipped tubercles).

3) Small, orange-brown spots scattered over the body and cerata, with a distinct or faint, zigzag, green fig. 18 flic.kr/p/2nM7wqN , brown fig. 20 flic.kr/p/2nM7wqc or red fig. 21 flic.kr/p/2nM7wpR digestive gland between the cerata in the posterior half of the dorsum. In the anterior half, the digestive gland is fragmented and does not cross from side to side.

4) A northern species found in Scandinavia, Netherlands and north-east North America, with rare records in northern Britain and Ireland.

GBIF map www.gbif.org/species/4360230

 

Eubranchus vittatus> (Alder & Hancock, 1842)

1) Up to 29 mm long.

2) Up to 10 rows of smooth, slender cerata each side; about 10 cerata per row; their surfaces lack nodular tubercles fig. 22 flic.kr/p/2nM7wod .

3) Olive or brown blotches on body, no zigzag digestive gland fig. 23 flic.kr/p/2nMdVHE .

4) Widespread on British coasts, except North Sea species.nbnatlas.org/species/NBNSYS0000175218#tab_mapView

 

E. cingulatus (Alder & Hancock, 1847, fig. 24 flic.kr/p/2nM7wk2 ) was accepted as a valid species by Thompson & Brown (1984), but it is now regarded by WoRMS as a synonym of E. vittatus. Thompson and Brown (1984) wrote, “Records of this species are chaotic because of confusion with E. doriae. - - - Thompson & Brown (1976) and Schmekel and Portmann (1982) have all published illustrations of E. doriae incorrectly labelled as E. cingulatus”.

 

Habits and ecology

E. exiguus lives on the lower shore and sublittorally to 40 m. It is found on hydroids, especially Obelia dichotoma growing on stones and O. geniculata on Laminaria fronds, and on many other hydroids on piers, floating structures and ships. It favours shores with moderate wave exposure or shelter, including estuaries fig. 25 flic.kr/p/2nM7wiZ , and salinity down to 6‰ in the outer Baltic (Swennen, 1961).

It is a simultaneous hermaphrodite. Ovotestes and penis may be developed by the time E. exiguus is 2 mm long fig. 12 flic.kr/p/2nM7wwK & fig. 13 flic.kr/p/2nMdVTp . Kidney-shape transparent spawn capsules fig. 26 flic.kr/p/2nM7waT , each containing about 30 white ova, are laid from spring to late summer in Britain and Ireland. Spawn masses on hydroids are easier to detect and more numerous than adults, but difficult to distinguish from spawn of T. tergipes. Embryology and development are uncertain because of confusion with other species. It probably has a veliger stage and several generations each year (Miller, 1958).

 

Distribution and status

E. exiguus is recorded from the White Sea and Faeroe to the outer Baltic, western Europe and Mediterranean, and on North American Atlantic coasts www.gbif.org/species/2291727 . Densities of 200 /m² have been recorded in the Netherlands (Swennen, 1959). There are scattered records all round Britain and Ireland; it is probably common but overlooked as its small size requires searching of hydroids under magnification. UK map NBN species.nbnatlas.org/species/NBNSYS0000175214

 

Acknowledgements

For use of images I gratefully thank Glenn Biscop, Klaus Kevin Kristensen, Heine Jensen, Antoni Lopez-Arenas, Tamsyn Mann, Poul Rasmussen and Fabio Vitale. I thank Lucy Kay and Paul Brazier for specimens to photograph.

 

References and links

Alder, J. & Hancock, A. 1845-1855. A monograph of the British nudibranchiate mollusca. London, Ray Society. Family 3 Plate 37 www.biodiversitylibrary.org/item/131598#page/436/mode/1up

 

Gould, A. A. 1870. Report on the Invertebrata of Massachusetts, published agreeably to an order of the legislature. Second edition, comprising the Mollusca. Boston, Wright & Binney. [Eubranchus rupium as Aeolis despecta p. 248] at www.biodiversitylibrary.org/item/22325#page/262/mode/1up and Plate XVI figs. 222-225 at www.biodiversitylibrary.org/item/22325#page/541/mode/1up

 

Lopez-Arenas, A. Eubranchus doriae [in] Bitxos del Mediterrani [Accessed 17 September 2022]. www.tonitofa.com/arxius/454

 

McDonald, G. Eubranchus rupium (Møller, 1842) Intertidal Invertebrates of the Monterey Bay Area, California. [Accessed 10 September 2022]

people.ucsc.edu/~mcduck/DreamWeaver/Mollusca/Nudibranchs/...

 

Miller, M.C. 1958. Studies on the nudibranchiate Mollusca of the Isle of Man. PhD Thesis, University of Liverpool.

 

Møller, H. P. C. (1842). Index Molluscorum Groenlandiae. Naturhistorisk Tidsskrift. 4: 76-97 [Copenhagen] [ Eubranchus rupium as Tergipes rupium p. 78]

www.biodiversitylibrary.org/page/2322910#page/86/mode/1up

 

Nunn, J. Eubranchus doriae Northern Ireland Priority Species. [Accessed 10 September 2022]. www.habitas.org.uk/priority/species.asp?item=639

 

Rudman, W.B., 2003 Eubranchus rupium (Møller, 1842). [In] Sea Slug Forum. Australian Museum, Sydney. www.seaslugforum.net/find/eubrrupi

 

Swennen, C. 1959. The Netherlands coastal waters as an environment for Nudibranchia. Basteria 23: 56-62.

 

Swennen, C. 1961. Data of distribution, reproduction and ecology of the nudibranchiate molluscs occurring in the Netherlands. Netherlands J. Sea Res. 1: 191-240.

 

Thompson, T.E. & Brown, G.H. 1976. British opisthobranch molluscs. London, Linnean Society and Academic Press.

 

Thompson, T.E. & Brown, G.H. 1984. Biology of opisthobranch molluscs 2. London, Ray Society.

 

Trinchese, S. 1874. Descrizioni di alcuni nuovi Eolididae del porto di Genova. Memorie della Reale Accademia delle Scienze dell' Istituto di Bologna. 3 (4): 197-203., biodiversitylibrary.org/page/39043163 Capellinia doriae

description on p. 202.

 

Vitale, F. Capellinia doriae Trinchese, 1874, [in] Heterobranchia della penisola del Salento [Accessed 17 September, 2022]

www.salentosommerso.it/pp_nudibranchia/Capellinia%20doria...

 

Glossary

cerata = (sing. ceras) lobes on dorsum of Fionoidea and some other seaslugs.

cnidocytes = explosive stinging cells of Cnidaria (hydroids, sea anemones, jelly fish).

cnidosac = storage capsule at tips of cerata of Fionoidea for ingested unexploded cnidocytes.

digestive gland = organ which acts like liver and pancreas in mammals to absorb food.

Fionoidea = superfamily of cerata-bearing sea slugs.

LWST = low water spring tide; two periods of a few days each month when tide falls lowest.

metapodium = hind portion of the foot. (adj. metapodial).

ovotestis = (pl. ovotestes) hermaphrodite organ serving as both ovary and testis.

propodium = anterior portion of gastropod foot. (adj. propodial).

rhinophores = chemo-receptor tentacles on top of head of nudibranch.

veliger = shelled larva of marine gastropod which moves by action of cilia on a velum (bilobed flap). Stage may be passed in plankton or within liquid-filled egg-capsule.

  

www.google.com/search?hl=en&safe=off&client=firef...

 

# The name of a Queen and Jack in the pocket, suited or otherwise.

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# an agent of SHIELD and Nick Fury's top agent. Buried in an official ceremony

www.nationmaster.com/encyclopedia/Weapon-X-(Exiles)

 

# Samuel A. Maverick was a Texan rancher of the 1840’s who did not bother to brand his calves (which was an important practice followed by the ...

thevocabularyblog.blogspot.com/2007/02/approaches-to-learning-vocabulary.html

  

# someone who exhibits great independence in thought and action

# an unbranded range animal (especially a stray calf); belongs to the first person who puts a brand on it

# irregular: independent in behavior or thought; "she led a somewhat irregular private life"; "maverick politicians"

wordnet.princeton.edu/perl/webwn

 

# Maverick is an Academy Award nominated 1994 comedy Western movie, based on the 1950s television series Maverick, and created by Roy Huggins. The film was directed by Richard Donner from a screenplay by William Goldman and features Mel Gibson, Jodie Foster, and James Garner. ...

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maverick (film)

 

# "Maverick" is a single released by D'espairsRay on February 12, 2003. It was re-released on March 26, 2003.

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maverick (song)

 

# Maverick : The Success Story Behind the World's Most Unusual Workplace by Ricardo Semler (1993 : Warner Books)

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maverick (book)

 

# Maverick is the fifth album by the band George Thorogood and the Destroyers. It was released in 1985, and was produced by Terry Manning.

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maverick (album)

 

# Maverick is a pinball machine produced initially by Data East Pinball, and then by Sega Pinball. It is based on the motion picture of the same name. It was the first pinball machine to use a bigger DMD (192x64) and the last pinball machine produced by Data East.

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maverick (pinball)

 

# A Maverick, in the video game series Mega Man X, Mega Man Zero, and Mega Man ZX, is a Reploid who generally defies the will of the Maverick Hunters or of the human governments. In the Japanese games, they are called Irregulars. ...

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maverick (Mega Man)

 

# Maverick is a South African business magazine published every four weeks since December 2005.

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maverick (magazine)

 

# Maverick was a chocolate bar snack manufactured by Nestlé Rowntree and marketed in the UK.

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maverick (chocolate)

 

# Maverick is a comedy-western television series created by Roy Huggins that ran from September 22, 1957 to July 8, 1962 on ABC and featured James Garner, Jack Kelly, Roger Moore, and Robert Colbert as the poker-playing traveling Mavericks (Bret, Bart, Beau, & Brent). ...

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maverick (TV series)

 

# Maverick is a subway station on the Blue Line at Maverick Square in East Boston, Massachusetts, USA. It is the easternmost underground station on the Blue Line, and a transfer point to various buses. One center island platform provides access to the surface in the middle of Maverick Square. ...

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maverick (MBTA station)

 

# Maverick is a linear synchronous motor-launched steel complete-circuit roller coaster at Cedar Point in Sandusky, Ohio. It was manufactured by IntaRide LLC, the United States division of Intamin AG, and was the five-hundredth roller coaster designed by Werner Stengel. ...

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maverick (roller coaster)

 

# An unbranded range animal; One who does not abide by rules; : One who creates or uses unconventional and/or controversial ideas or practices; A queen and a jack as a starting hand in Texas hold 'em; Showing independence in thoughts or actions

en.wiktionary.org/wiki/maverick

Tergoscutal flap: brown at rostral end (1) and micropyle (2), brown lobe with white summit at carinal end (3), brownish grey on white between micropyle and rostrum (4), brown between micropyle and carina (5). Portland Bill, Dorset. April 2012.

 

Full SPECIES DESCRIPTION below

Sets of OTHER SPECIES at: www.flickr.com/photos/56388191@N08/collections/.

 

Chthamalus montagui Southward, 1976 text I.F. Smith

 

Recent synonyms

Pre 1976 records included in Chthamalus stellatus (Poli,1795).

Vernacular names

Montagu’s stellate barnacle, Crachen Montagu (Welsh).

 

DESCRIPTION **Glossary below.

 

opercular aperture (top opening)

Kite-shape Cm1[flic.kr/p/bYFMLS] (not equilateral diamond); can vary to rounded kite Cm2[flic.kr/p/bYFNbS] and resemble C. stellatus .

 

opercular valves (lid plates)

Four valves, two terga and two scuta Cm3[flic.kr/p/bYFMQy], open along longitudinal midline with a tergum and scutum each side Cm2[flic.kr/p/bYFNbS]. Whether closed or open, tergum usually remains fixed to its scutum Cm1[flic.kr/p/bYFMLS]. Terga fill less than a third of aperture Cm2[flic.kr/p/bYFNbS]. Opercular valves level with or a little below aperture rim when open Cm8 [flic.kr/p/bYFNnu]

 

tergoscutal flap (membranous seal on lid plates).

White, white faintly tinted blue, or dull blue. Small BROWN mark centrally at micropyle Cm1[flic.kr/p/bYFMLS]. Brown to black mark at rostral end. Longitudinal lobe with white summit and brown base (fully exposed when valves open Cm4[flic.kr/p/bYFN1w]) at carinal end. Away from the rim, between micropyle and rostrum, the flap may be grey-blue on white Cm1[flic.kr/p/bYFMLS] or grey-brown on white Cm4[flic.kr/p/bYFN1w]. Between micropyle and carina, back from the rim, the flap is usually brown Cm4[flic.kr/p/bYFN1w].

 

wall plates

Six; delineating sutures often only visible on juveniles as usually fused and difficult to discern Cm5[ flic.kr/p/bYFN77]. Rostral plate narrow Cm4[flic.kr/p/bYFN1w], butts onto lateral plates. Plates solid, not porose. After bleaching, white with some pink-brown Cm6[flic.kr/p/bYFNey], especially internally near aperture. Usually discoloured dull yellow in life and heavily eroded and/or punctured by Cliona celata, boring sponge Cm5[flic.kr/p/bYFN77].

 

profile

When isolated, low mound Cm7[flic.kr/p/bYFNio], often very depressed on rock exposed to strong waves Cm5[flic.kr/p/bYFN77]. When crowded, low column about 6mm high Cm8[flic.kr/p/bYFNnu].

 

base

Black membrane. Dull yellow Cs12[flic.kr/p/bXnFF1] flesh visible in barnacle when removed from substrate.

 

diameter & height

Usually under 10mm diameter, occasionally to 14mm. Crowded columns about 6mm high, occasionally 10mm.

 

IDENTIFYING FEATURES

Aperture: Kite-shape (not equilateral diamond), but can vary to rounded kite Cm1[flic.kr/p/bYFMLS].

Tergoscutal flaps: White to blue, brown mark at micropyle and carinal end Cm1[flic.kr/p/bYFMLS].

Wall plates: Rostral plate narrow, butts onto lateral plates Cm4[flic.kr/p/bYFN1w].

Base plate: Black membrane. Dull yellow flesh inside barnacle. Cs12[flic.kr/p/bXnFF1]

Tide level: Commonest HWS to HW, some down to LWN. Not sublittoral.

  

SIMILAR SPECIES

Chthamalus stellatus

Aperture: Approximately broadly oval Cs1[flic.kr/p/bXnEBf] BUT can vary to rounded kite.

Tergoscutal flaps: White to blue, with bright orange at micropyle and carinal end Cs6[flic.kr/p/bXnF4b].

Base plate: Black membrane. Bright orange flesh inside barnacle Cs12[flic.kr/p/bXnFF1].

Wall plates: Rostral plate narrow Cs8[flic.kr/p/bXnFhu], butts onto lateral plates.

Tide level: Commonest MTL to MLWS, some up to HW. Not sublittoral.

 

Semibalanus balanoides

Aperture: Equilateral diamond, pentagon, irregular or (some juveniles) oval.

Tergoscutal flaps: Whitish to grey with white rim, brown/blackish at rostral end, brown at micropyle, but white at carinal end Sb10[flic.kr/p/bFdLky].

Wall plates: Lateral plates butt onto wide rostral plate Sb15[flic.kr/p/bU8w7P].

Profile: Depressed.

Base plate: Membranous.

 

ECOLOGY

Stenohaline, full salinity. Commonest HWS to HW, some down to LWN. Not sublittoral. On rock, stones and live mollusca Cs13[flic.kr/p/bXnFPY] exposed to strong or moderate wave action, where it is may be the dominant littoral barnacle. Occupies less exposed sites where C. stellatus may be absent. Usually overlaps with shore zones of Balanus semibalanoides and Chthamalus stellatus. In Britain, breeds April to September, cyprids settle July to December.

 

DISTRIBUTION

N.E. Atlantic coasts from Orkney to Senegal and Canaries, and into Mediterranean. Scarce or absent on some islands such as Sicily, Crete, Madeira, Azores and North Rona.

See GBIF map www.gbif.org/species/2115617

British coasts westwards from Dorset to Scilly and thence north to Orkney. Most Irish coasts. Absent from much of Liverpool Bay and the North Sea apart from a few scattered records in northern part.

See NBN map species.nbnatlas.org/species/NBNSYS0000174547

 

CURRENT TAXONOMY

World Register of Marine Species

www.marinespecies.org/aphia.php?p=taxdetails&id=106230

 

Glossary

ala – (pl. alae) side flange of wall plate, overlapped by radius of next plate.

carina – posterior wall plate adjoining the smaller pair of lid plates (terga). carinal – (adj.) of the carina.

cirri – (sing. cirrus) feather-like thoracic limbs used in filter feeding.

cypris – (pl. cyprids) final larval bivalved stage in barnacle development.

euryhaline – tolerant of wide range of salinities.

HW- high water level.

HWS- level of high water spring tide.

lateral plates - wall plates other than end plates (depending on sp., strictly may be rostro-lateral or carino-lateral).

LWN- level of low water neap tide.

micropyle – small breathing/sensing hole between tergoscutal flaps, sometimes visible when operculum shut. Found on spp. that are left out of water for long periods.

MLWS- level of mean low water spring tide.

MTL – mid-tide level.

opercular – (adj.) of the operculum (aperture lid).

operculum – moveable lid-like structure used to close the aperture.

paries – ( pl. parietes) central section of wall plate, flanked by alae and radii.

ppt – parts per thousand (of salt in water).

radius – (pl. radii) side flange of wall plate, overlaps ala of adjacent plate.

right – on right when barnacle viewed from above with rostrum at 12 o’clock.

rostral - (adj.) of the rostrum.

rostrum - anterior wall plate adjoining larger pair of lid plates (scuta). (Lost on Elminius and balanoids; place taken by fused rostro-laterals; referred to as rostrum for simplicity.)

scuta – (sing. scutum) the larger plates of the operculum (lid).

sessile – (adj.) permanently attached to substrate (of immobile organism).

stenohaline – unable to tolerate much variation in salinity.

terga – (sing. tergum) the smaller plates of the operculum (lid).

tergoscutal flaps - membranous “lid seals", (most visible as valves start to open).

  

References & links

 

Rainbow, P.S., 1984. An introduction to the biology of British littoral barnacles. Field studies 6: 1-51.

fsj.field-studies-council.org/media/350581/vol6.1_161.pdf

 

Southward, A.J., 2008. Barnacles. London, Linnean Society.

  

Operculum open; terga with strong erect beaks (1) held above aperture rim, scuta tilted up slightly at tergal end. Yellow rim on tergoscutal flap. Menai Strait. March 2011.

 

Full SPECIES DESCRIPTION below

Place cursor on images for POP-UP NOTES.

Sets of OTHER SPECIES at: www.flickr.com/photos/56388191@N08/collections/.

 

Balanus balanus (Linnaeus, 1758) text I.F. Smith

 

Recent synonyms

Balanus porcatus.

Beware name confusion with Balanus balanoides, previous name of Semibalanus balanoides (Linnaeus, 1767).

Vernacular names

Corrugated barnacle, Porcate barnacle, Crachen wrymiog (Welsh).

 

DESCRIPTION **Glossary below.

 

opercular aperture (top opening)

Small; about 30% of shell diameter. Carinal end acute and rostral end rounded, so tear drop shape aperture Bb1[flic.kr/p/bmgUmo].

opercular valves (lid plates)

Four valves ,two terga and two scuta[flic.kr/p/buNKWQ], which open along longitudinal midline with a tergum and scutum each side. When closed, valves deeply recessed below rim of aperture Bb2[flic.kr/p/bzbLJa]. Strongly furrowed growth lines on scuta. Tergum has strong erect beak Bb2[flic.kr/p/bzbLJa], held above aperture rim when operculum open Bb6[flic.kr/p/bzbLZv]. Scuta tilt up slightly at tergal end when open.

tergoscutal flaps (membranous seals on lid plates).

Only tilt slightly away from horizontal. Dark brown, or purple-brown, with yellow border along edge Bb4[flic.kr/p/bzbLPg]. No micropyle.

wall plates

Six, but intervening sutures difficult to discern. Thick Bb8[flic.kr/p/bmgUCf], and strongly vertically ridged Bb5[flic.kr/p/bmgUvN]. White. Often obscured by growths of other sessile organisms Bb3[flic.kr/p/bzbLM4]. Carina may form high point of aperture rim Bb2[flic.kr/p/bzbLJa] , but rim fairly even on worn specimens Bb7[flic.kr/p/bzbLUF].

profile

Steep corrugated cone Bb5[flic.kr/p/bmgUvN]. When crowded, may clump into a ball, but columnar growth rare.

base

Calcified plate with radial lines and peripheral rectangles indicating pore ends Bb8[flic.kr/p/bmgUCf].

diameter

Second largest acorn barnacle in Britain. About 15mm; usual maximum 25mm, but can reach 50mm in Shetland.

 

IDENTIFYING FEATURES

Aperture : small, tear drop shape Bb1[flic.kr/p/bmgUmo].

Profile : a steep cone Bb5[flic.kr/p/bmgUvN].

Wall plates : strongly vertically ridged Bb5[flic.kr/p/bmgUvN].

Tergoscutal flaps : dark brown, or purple-brown, with yellow edge Bb4[flic.kr/p/bzbLPg].

Base plate: calcareous with radial lines Bb8[flic.kr/p/bmgUCf].

Tide level: low water spring and below.

 

SIMILAR SPECIES

Perforatus perforatus (ribbed conical specimensPp13[flic.kr/p/c1w9W7])

Aperture: small. Drop-shape or ellipse.

Tergoscutal flaps: Purple-brown to purple-black with large patches of brilliant bluePp10[flic.kr/p/c1w9Rw]. Often a white rim.

Wall plates: May be closely ribbed.Usually pink in part.

Profile: a steep cone.

Base plate: Fragile. Calcareous with waved radial lines and concentric lines.

  

ECOLOGY

Stenohaline, full salinity, primarily sublittoral species. Most frequent at depths between 15m and 30m, but occurs on some rocky shores at low water spring tide level, and sublittorally to beyond 150m. On rock, other hard substrate, live and dead molluscs and crustacea, buoys, pontoons, ships and drift debris. Sensitive to terrestrial pollution and prefers currents and oxygen-rich zones with stable temperatures. In Britain, mates and lays in February, naupili hatch in March, cyprids settle in April. Requires low temperature, below 10 degrees C, to mate. Filter-feeder on detritus and diatoms; development of young depends on diatom bloom.

 

DISTRIBUTION

A Boreo-Arctic species. Belgium to White Sea and Iceland.

America northwards from Long Island and British Columbia. Okhotsk Sea.

See GBIF map www.gbif.org/species/2115719

British coasts northwards from Somerset (Southward, 2008) and East Anglia. N.,W. and E. Ireland. See NBN map. (Records south of Somerset may be misidentifications.) species.nbnatlas.org/species/NBNSYS0000174079

Few or no records in areas, such as Liverpool Bay, S.E. England and German coast, where high summer water temperatures, soft substrate and turbid terrestrial run-off.

 

GLOSSARY

ala – (pl. alae) side flange of wall plate, overlapped by radius of next plate.

carina – posterior wall plate adjoining the smaller pair of lid plates (terga). carinal – (adj.) of the carina.

cirri – (sing. cirrus) feather-like thoracic limbs used in filter feeding.

cypris – (pl. cyprids) final larval bivalved stage in barnacle development.

euryhaline – tolerant of wide range of salinities.

HW- high water level.

HWS- level of high water spring tide.

lateral plates - wall plates other than end plates (depending on sp., strictly may be rostro-lateral or carino-lateral).

LWN- level of low water neap tide.

micropyle – small breathing/sensing hole between tergoscutal flaps, sometimes visible when operculum shut. Found on spp. that are left out of water for long periods.

MLWS- level of mean low water spring tide.

MTL – mid-tide level.

opercular – (adj.) of the operculum (aperture lid).

operculum – moveable lid-like structure used to close the aperture.

paries – ( pl. parietes) central section of wall plate, flanked by alae and radii.

ppt – parts per thousand (of salt in water).

radius – (pl. radii) side flange of wall plate, overlaps ala of adjacent plate.

right – on right when barnacle viewed from above with rostrum at 12 o’clock.

rostral - (adj.) of the rostrum.

rostrum - anterior wall plate adjoining larger pair of lid plates (scuta). (Lost on Elminius and balanoids; place taken by fused rostro-laterals; referred to as rostrum for simplicity.)

scuta – (sing. scutum) the larger plates of the operculum (lid).

sessile – (adj.) permanently attached to substrate (of immobile organism).

stenohaline – unable to tolerate much variation in salinity.

terga – (sing. tergum) the smaller plates of the operculum (lid).

tergoscutal flaps - membranous “lid seals", (most visible as valves start to open).

  

REFERENCES AND LINKS

 

Rainbow, P.S., 1984. An introduction to the biology of British littoral barnacles. Field studies 6: 1-51.

fsj.field-studies-council.org/media/350581/vol6.1_161.pdf

 

Southward, A.J., 2008. Barnacles. London, Linnean Society.

 

The Fouling Encyclopedia (German) www.fouling-atlas.org/index.php?option=com_content&ta...

 

Viscera are in an oval bag (1) formed by the mantle. It is usually about 250 mm long but can reach 400 mm. It is fused dorsally (2) with the head. Arms (3). Faro, Portugal, April 2011. © J.P. Silva.

Full SPECIES DESCRIPTION BELOW

PDF available at www.researchgate.net/publication/370845837_Octopus_vulgar...

Sets of OTHER SPECIES at: www.flickr.com/photos/56388191@N08/collections/

 

Octopus vulgaris Cuvier,1797

Joao Pedro Silva (images) & Ian Frank Smith (text).

Synonyms: no frequent synonyms (Jereb et al., 2016)

Current taxonomy: World Register of Marine Species

www.marinespecies.org/aphia.php?p=taxdetails&id=140605

Vernacular: Common octopus (English); Pieuvre (French); Pulpo común (Spanish); Gemeiner Krake (German); Chtapodi (Greek); Polpo comune, Polpo verace (Italian); Polvo (Portuguese).

GLOSSARY BELOW

 

Description

The total length of the body and arms is up to 1.8 m with mass over 20 kg in the Mediterranean, but it is usually less than 1 m long. The mantle forms an oval bag, often 250 mm long but up to 400 mm, which is fused with the head dorsally fig. 01 flic.kr/p/2oAj9X6 (Jereb et al., 2016). There is no ridge around the lateral margin of the mantle fig. 02 flic.kr/p/2oApSty & fig. 06 flic.kr/p/2oAjwEK such as found on Eledone cirrhosa. The mantle bag is open ventrally, and the exhalent respiratory funnel can be extended from the opening at varying angles to left fig. 03 flic.kr/p/2oApSmK and right. The anus is close to the funnel in the anterior of the mantle cavity. As well as digestive waste products, defensive ink is discharged from it, usually via the funnel fig. 11 flic.kr/p/2oAjsPy .

The surface of the mantle and head has regular small circular patches and grooves (Jereb et al., 2016) and varies from fairly smooth fig. 04 flic.kr/p/2oAosdx to pronounced raised lobes fig. 02 flic.kr/p/2oApSty & fig. 05 flic.kr/p/2oAjE9T . The dorsal surfaces of the mantle, head and arms are covered in chromatophores which can rapidly change between black, grey, dark to light brown, greenish brown, reddish, purplish, yellowish and whitish in varying combinations. Ventrally, the mantle bag is often whitish fig. 11 flic.kr/p/2oAjsPy .

The head has large, highly-developed eyes positioned dorsally on mounds that can be raised and dorsal fig. 07 flic.kr/p/2oApuhS & fig. 08 flic.kr/p/2oAps3X , tilted fig. 09 flic.kr/p/2oAps3r , or lowered fig. 04 flic.kr/p/2oAosdx . The pupils close to horizontal slits and can be opened wide in low light fig. 10 flic.kr/p/2oAptZc .

O. vulgaris has eight robust arms of equal thickness with rounded tips. They are 4 to 5.5 times the length of the mantle with the dorsal arms slightly shorter and, on males, the third arm on the right is shortened and its tip hectocotylized into a very small spoon-shape for transfer of spermatophores into the female (Jereb et al., 2016). Each arm has two rows of suckers which are distally a white disc with a dark rim fig. 06 flic.kr/p/2oAjwEK ; sometimes the interior colour shows through the disc fig. 18 flic.kr/p/2oAnmN8 . The sides of the suckers and the undersides of the arms are often a shade of the dorsal colour fig. 11 flic.kr/p/2oAjsPy and basally there is often a pinkish fig. 21 flic.kr/p/2oAo6UB or reddish tint fig. 12 flic.kr/p/2oAptvr which may be the interior muscles showing through the integument.

The arms are linked along the proximal 15% to 20% by a web fig. 13 flic.kr/p/2oApn7p and there is a chitinous “parrot’s-beak” jaw where they meet. The only other hard body parts are slender “stylets”; vestiges of the ancestral internal shell.

 

Key identification features

Octopus vulgaris

The vernacular name “Common octopus” is a misnomer in Britain as, away from the south coast of England, it is absent and Eledone cirrhosa is common. In April 2023, all photographs of records on iNaturalist of ’O. vulgaris’ further north than the south coast of England were of E. cirrhosa or unrecognisable stranded cephalopods, possibly paralarvae, in poor condition.

1) Eight equal arms; males have one shortened arm used for copulation.

2) Each arm has two rows of suckers fig. 06 flic.kr/p/2oAjwEK .

3) No ridge around the lateral periphery of the mantle. Surface texture varies from fairly smooth fig. 06 flic.kr/p/2oAjwEK to elongate lobes fig. 05 flic.kr/p/2oAjE9T .

4) Varied colours which can alter instantly; often a shade of dorsal colour on underside of arms including sides of suckers up to a dark rim around the white circular distal face of the suckers fig. 11 flic.kr/p/2oAjsPy & fig. 12 flic.kr/p/2oAptvr ; sometimes internal colour shows through the discs fig. 18 flic.kr/p/2oAnmN8 .

5) Found living both littorally and sublittorally. In Britain, only on south coast of England in unusually hot summers.

 

Similar species

Eledone cirrhosa (Lamarck, 1798)

1) Eight equal arms; males have one arm shortened, which is used for copulation.

2) Each arm has a single rows of suckers fig. 14 flic.kr/p/2oApkeG , but slender tips may have an alternating left and right row resembling a double row fig. 15 flic.kr/p/2oAobdB .

3) Ridge around the lateral periphery of the mantle fig. 16 flic.kr/p/2oAoazT . Surface nearly smooth or tuberculate fig. 17 flic.kr/p/2oApj7X .

4) Mantle is whitish ventrally and terracotta to orange-red dorsally fig. 16 flic.kr/p/2oAoazT .

5) Usually, sublittoral but in some years many are cast up alive onto the shore by storm waves.

 

Habits and ecology

O. vulgaris lives on the lower shore and benthically to 120 m on rocky, sandy or muddy substrates. It is mainly nocturnal, spending most of the day in a naturally occurring crevice or overhang fig. 18 flic.kr/p/2oAnmN8 or, on soft substrate, in a den constructed from loose stones and shells. It eats crustacea, fish and molluscs, including smaller individuals of O. vulgaris and may emerge from its den to pounce on passing prey. It moves on its arms and uses jet propulsion of water from exhalent funnel for rapid movement, but it rarely swims in open water, except to escape danger fig. 06 flic.kr/p/2oAjwEK . Various shades of camouflaging brown and grey predominate fig. 18 flic.kr/p/2oAnmN8 . Other colours reflect activity or emotion. Sudden paling with darkening around eyes (dymantic display) fig. 19 flic.kr/p/2oApDz2 , startles an attacker before it ejects distracting ink fig. 22 flic.kr/p/2oAjjGX and jets away fig. 20 flic.kr/p/2oApg5z & fig 21 . When a crab or lobster is sighted fig. 09 flic.kr/p/2oAps3r its colour usually changes as it glides forwards and makes sudden lunge with aid of water jetted from the exhalent funnel. Crabs are enveloped by spread arms and web fig. 13 flic.kr/p/2oApn7p , usually from the rear to avoid the chelae fig. 23 flic.kr/p/2oApnjd . The arms hold prey while it is pierced by the horny beak, subdued by venom, injected with digestive enzymes and ingested in semi-liquid form. An apparently intact lobster in a lobster-pot is usually an empty husk if an octopus is with it. Its predators include wrasses, eels, sharks, seals, dolphins, otters and man. It can leave pools or aquaria and move out of water. Its lack of skeleton enables it to squeeze through gaps no wider than its beak.

To avoid being eaten, the male mates at arm’s length with his shortened third arm on the right, which is adapted into a hectocotylus for transfer of spermatophores into the female’s mantle cavity. The female produces 100 000 to 500 000 eggs, each 2 mm long on a 5 mm stalk, which she strings together and fixes as festoons to the roof of her den. She constantly guards, ventilates and cleans the eggs for up to five months. For this period she eats little or nothing, so her body wastes and she dies as the young hatch (Jereb et al., 2016).

The c. 2 mm long, short armed, transparent, nearly colourless paralarvae swim with jet propulsion in the plankton for over a month. They avoid light by descending into deeper water during daylight hours. Some are carried beyond the usual range of the species to the south coast of England where they settle in hot summers and may persist, occasionally in large numbers, until a cold winter kills them. On settlement, they metamorphose into adult form and habits. The lifespan is estimated as one to two years, terminating for females after a single brooding event (Jereb et al., 2016).

 

Distribution and status

O. vulgaris lives in the Mediterranean and eastern Atlantic from the west and north-west coasts of Africa, the Azores, Canary Islands and Cape Verde Islands to Bretagne, France and, occasionally in hot summers, to the south coast of England (Jereb et al., 2016). It becomes inactive at 7° C (Roper et al., 1984). The many records further north, where winter sea water temperatures fall to 7° C and below, such as on NBN Atlas species.nbnatlas.org/species/NBNSYS0000176785 should be regarded as misidentifications, mainly of Eledone cirrhosa, unless and, perhaps with climate change, until convincing substantiating photographs can be seen. In April 2023 all images of ‘O. vulgaris’ further north than the south coast England on iNaturalist www.inaturalist.org/observations?taxon_id=49315 were misidentified E. cirrhosa or unidentifiable remains of other cephalopods, which were challenged and withdrawn. Part of the cause of this frequent misidentification is the specific epithet ‘vulgaris’ (’common’) and the consequent mistaken conclusion that the common octopod of Britain, E. cirrhosa, is O. vulgaris.

Jereb et al. (2016) regard only those found in the area described above as O. vulgaris sensu stricto and cite molecular studies, some of which supported a single worldwide species and others which segregated some species.

Maps on iNaturalist and GBIF www.gbif.org/species/2289671 show records of O. vulgaris from the Caribbean, South Africa, Indian Ocean and East Asia. Jereb et al. (2016) wrote:

“Due to the significant geographic and temperature boundaries that exist between the geographical distributions of these forms (particularly for the east Asian “vulgaris”) and the absence of any plausible gene flow mechanisms, we choose to treat these forms individually [as described] below until their relationships are better resolved. This approach also enables regional knowledge and literature to be presented. The geographically disjunct forms (Fig. 39) are treated here under the following names:

Forms and their geographical distributions

Octopus vulgaris sensu stricto Mediterranean, central & NE Atlantic.

Octopus “vulgaris” type I Tropical western central Atlantic.

Octopus “vulgaris” type II Subtropical S.W. Atlantic: Brazil.

Octopus “vulgaris” type III Temperate S. Africa & S. Indian Ocean

Octopus “vulgaris” type IV Subtropical/Temperate S.E. Asia"

 

Acknowledgements

For use of images, I gratefully thank

David Borg www.flickr.com/photos/davidborgunderwaterpictures/albums ,

Rupert Brun flic.kr/p/5iDRL4 , James Chatfield,

Lisa Kamphausen www.flickr.com/photos/naturescot/ ,

Mark N. Thomas www.flickr.com/photos/marknthomas/collections/

and my co-author João Pedro Silva.

www.flickr.com/photos/jpsilva1971/albums

 

References and links

Morton, J.E., 1967. Molluscs.London.

 

Jereb, P., Roper, C.F.E., Norman M.D. and Finn, J.K. (eds.) 2016.

Cephalopods of the world, an annotated and illustrated catalogue of cephalopods species known to date. Volume 3 Octopods and Vampire Squids Rome, F.A.O. www.fao.org/3/i3489e/i3489e.pdf

 

Roper, C.F.E., Sweeney, M.J. & Nauen, C.E., 1984. FAO species catalogue. Vol. 3. Cephalopods of the world. An annotated and illustrated catalogue of species of interest to fisheries. FAO Fisheries Synopsis, Nº 125 vol. 3 www.fao.org/docrep/009/ac479e/ac479e00.htm

 

Yonge, C.M, & Thompson, T.E., 1976. Living marine molluscs. London. Collins.

 

Glossary

benthic= (adj.) living on the seabed.

chelae = hinged pincer-like claws on the anterior limbs of a crab or lobster.

chitin = semitransparent flexible horny protein, formula (C8H13O5N)n.

chitinous = (adj.) made of chitin, or resembling chitin.

 

chromatophores = tiny elastic pigment spots which can cause rapid change to body colour by expansion /contraction.

distal = away from centre of body or from point of attachment.

 

dymantic = startling a potential predator

 

hectocotylus = specialised arm on male octopus, squid etc adapted for transfer of spermatophores into female’s mantle-cavity.

 

integument = an enveloping layer, such as a skin, membrane or cuticle, of an organism or one of its parts.

 

maerl = substrate consisting mainly of fragments of calcareous seaweed, Lithothamnion calcareum.

 

mantle = fleshy, muscular, sac like body of octopods containing the viscera; creates jet propulsion by expulsion of water through the respiratory funnel.

 

paralarva = planktonic hatchling growth stage with short tentacles, small undeveloped suckers and little colour.

spermatophore = a package made of mucoprotein containing sperm.

 

Apparent field texture.—A tactile evaluation of soil texture in the field, with no inference as to expected laboratory results for textural analysis. Some soil samples cannot be adequately dispersed in the laboratory for accurate texture analysis using standard procedures. Factors that hinder the effectiveness of standard procedures for particle-size analysis include high content of low-activity clays or iron oxides, andic or spodic materials in soils having an isotic mineralogy class, carbonates, and gypsiferous materials. These soils tend to have ratios of 1500 kPa water to clay outside the normally expected range of 0.25 to 0.6, and clay content is therefore estimated rather than measured for family particle-size class as indicated in Soil Taxonomy (see note preceding item C in the key to particle-size and substitute classes). The apparent field texture reported in the soil profile description commonly appears coarser than the calculated result for placement in a taxonomic family particle-size class (e.g., fine sandy loam apparent field texture vs. fine family particle-size class).

 

Figure 11.—An Oxisol from the Cerredo physiographic region of Brazil. Oxisols may have 75 percent or more clay; however, both the structure and “feel” of Oxisols are deceptive. Upon first examination, the soil may appear structureless and have the feel of a loamy texture. The clay particles are bound by iron oxides in a matrix with strong, very fine and fine granular structure. As demonstrated in this sample, the apparent field texture was clay loam; however, laboratory analysis indicated the true texture was clay. The gritty feel is attributed to the very firm, very fine structural aggregates referred to as “pseudo sand”.

 

Presidio Press Book, 2002, 322 pages, glossary of military terms, ISBN 0-7394-60005

 

Editorial comment:

No one in Vietnam had to tell door gunner and gunship crew chief Al Sever that the odds didn’t look good. He volunteered for the job well aware that hanging out of slow-moving choppers over hot LZs blazing with enemy fire was not conducive to a long life. But that wasn’t going to stop Specialist Sever.

 

Cadawalader Review:

From Da Nang to Cu Chi and the Mekong Delta, Sever spent thirty-one months in Vietnam, fighting in eleven of the war’s sixteen campaigns. Every morning when his gunship lifted off, often to the clacking and muzzle flashes of AK-47s hidden in the dawn fog, Sever knew he might not return. This raw, gritty, gut-wrenching firsthand account of American boys fighting and dying in Vietnam captures all the hell, horror, and heroism of that tragic war.In June 1966 author Al Sever graduated from high school and joined the Army. Enlisting in the military provides the individual with an important advantage over draftees; they usually get a slot in a technician school. His real motivation was to fly in a helicopter gun ship so he could experience combat as a door gunner. There was no "school" for door gunners so Sever was trained as a helicopter repair technician and shipped off to Viet Nam. After several months repairing shot up helicopters and making a nuisance of himself requesting transfers to a gun ship crew he finally achieved his goal. The vivid descriptions of his aerial combat experiences certainty add credence to the old saying "be careful what you ask for you might just get it". Like the vast majority of us "armchair warriors' I have never stepped inside a helicopter. The author's descriptive accounts of his duties and experiences as a door gunner are graphic and compelling. At some point all soldiers must reflecting upon the uncertainty combat subjects one too. The author ruminates about the ambiguous position he found himself in. It was difficult enough for the foot soldiers to tell the innocent villagers from the VC so how the hell could he make the distinction from a moving aerial perch. The old saw "kill them all and let God sort them out" or "Xin Loi" is the only answer to this anguishing conundrum. After his tour in Viet Nam Sever was returned to the United States and was discharged from the Army. He had experienced numerous aerial firefights and saw the grisly aftermath of combat. So it is somewhat amazing that after a year as a civilian he re-enlisted with the stipulation that he return to Viet-Nam and be assigned to helicopter combat squadron. Considering the attrition of gun ship crews he was extremely fortunate to have survived thirty-one months of combat duty. The helicopter played a critical role the Army's combat strategy in Viet Nam. This book helps us understand how that strategy was employed and the valiant men who carried it out. The term "Xin Loi" according to the author is the only Vietnamese phrase a lot of soldiers knew. It was the standard reply to any of the multitude of the unfathomable circumstances soldiers faced in Viet Nam. It could mean "sorry about that", "why me?" or "F#&* this place" and many others.

Party Glossary

(From the Bahia-Online Carnival Pocket Guide 2004)

• abadá: ah-ba-DAH; Carnival T-shirt and shorts which allow entrance to a bloco.

 

• abraço: ah-BRAH-soo; hug

 

• afoxé: ah-fo-SHEY; an African Carnival group which marches to rhythms based in

candomblé.

 

• axé: ah-SHEY; life force, but in Carnival terms this term usually refers to a musical style.

 

• bagunça: bah-GOOHN-sa; mess (can be used in the sense of a loud, noisy party)

 

• barulho: bah-ROO-lyou; noise

 

• batida: bah-TCHEE-da; a drink comprised of cachaça and a flavoring agent, very strong.

 

• beijo: BEY-jhoo; kiss!

 

• bloco BLO-koo; block, or Carnival group.

 

• briga: BREE-ga; fight.

 

• cachorro: ka-SHOW-hoh; dog (used for two-legged dogs too!)

 

• camarote: kah-mah-RO-tchee; a Carnival viewing stand, often complete with bar, food, and

music.

 

• cerveja: seh-VEY-jha; beer.

 

• cordão: coh-DÃO; the big rope cordoning off a bloco.

 

• gata: GA-ta; literally “female cat”, slang for a beautiful woman.

 

• gatinha: ga-TEEN-ya; literally “female kitten”; slang for a cute girl.

 

• gato: GA-too; literally “male cat”; slang for a good-looking guy.

 

• gelada: jhe-LA-da; chilled or cold

 

• guaraná: gwa-ra-NA; an energy raising powder derived from the seeds of a berry.

 

• isopor: ee-zo-POR; styrofoam or styrofoam cooler, also something to keep a bottle of beer

from warming.

 

• kapeta: ka-PEH-ta; literally “devil”, a drink which includes chocolate, guaraná, and usually,

ground peanuts.

 

• ladrão: lah-DRÃO; thief.

 

• mamãe sacote: ma-MÃE sah-KO-tchee; pom pom.

 

• menina: meh-NEE-na; girl

 

• menino: meh-NEE-no; boy

 

• mentira: mehn-TCHEE-ra; lie

 

• muvuca: moo-VOO-ka; madness (like a Carnival crowd).

 

• pagode: pah-go-djee; a popular samba-based musical style.

 

• paquerar: pah-keh-RAH; flirt.

 

• pipoca: pee-PO-ka; literally “popcorn”, the (jumping and dancing) Carnival crowds outside

the ropes cordoning off the blocos.

 

• Piriguete: pee-ri-GE-tchee; slang for “fast girl”; also the name for smallest can of beer (that’s

what “fast girls” want, of course)

 

• polícia: po-LEE-see-a; police

 

• rapaz: hah-PAIZ; young man, but often idiomatically used like “man” in the sense “Oh man!”

 

• ressaca: heh-SAH-ka; hangover.

 

• roubo: HOH-bo; theft

 

• safado: sa-FAH-do; shameless guy

 

• trio elétrico: TREE-oo eh-LEK-tree-koo; Carnival soundtrucks with bands playing on top.

Some Handy Phrases in Portuguese

 

• Oi! [oy] Hi!

 

• Olá! [oh-LAH] Hello! (excluding on the telephone)

 

• Alô! [ah-LOH] Hello! (on the telephone)

 

• Tchau! [tchow] See you! Bye!

 

• Bom dia! [bohm DJEE-ah] Good morning! (Good for anytime before noon)

 

• Boa tarde! [boa TAHD-djee] Good afternoon!

 

• Boa noite! [boa NOY-tchee] Good night! (Used as a greeting as well as to say goodbye or

good night)

 

• Tudo bem? [TOO-doo BENG] Everything well? (A common greeting)

 

• Tudo bom? [TOO-doo BOHM] Everything good? (Another common greeting)

 

• Como vai? [koh-mo vay] How’s it going?

 

• Qual é? [kwal eh] What’s up? (very slangy)

 

• Com licença. [kohm lee-SEHN-sa] Excuse me! (In the sense of perhaps asking somebody

to let you by)

 

• Desculpe! [djee-SHKOOL-pee] Sorry! (In the sense of having stepped on somebody’s foot)

 

• Tem…? [teng…] Do you have…? …cerveja [seh-VEH-jha] beer? …Red Bull [HEH-djee

BOO] Red Bull? …cigarros [see-GAH-hohs] cigarettes? …agua mineral [AH-gwa mee-neh-

RAU] mineral water? …um refrigerante [oohm heh-free-jhehr-AHN-tchee] a soft drink?

 

• ...comida [koh-MEE-da] food?

 

• Por favor. [poh fah-VOH] Please.

 

• Obrigado(a)! [oh-bree-GAH-do(a)] Thank you!

 

• De nada! [djee NAH-da] You’re welcome!

 

• Quanto é...? [KWAN-to eh] How much is...?

 

• Quanto custa…? [KWAN-to KOOSH-ta] How much (does something) cost?

 

• Meu nome é _______. [MEH-oh NO-meh eh ______.] My name is ______.

 

• Como é o seu nome? [KOH-moh eh oh SEH-oo NOH-meh] What’s your name?

 

• Prazer em conhecer-ló(á)! [prah-ZEH eng kohn-yeh-SEH-loh(ah)] It’s a pleasure to meet

you! m(f)

 

• Sou… [Sohj] I am… …italiano(a) [ee-tah-lee-AH-no(a)] Italian. …alemão [ah-leh-MÃO]

German (m). ...alemã [ah-leh-MÃ] German (f). ...americano(a) [ah-meh-ree-KAHN-o(a)]

American. ...holandês [aw-lahn-DEIZ] Dutch (m). ...holandesa [aw-lahn-DEIZ-a] Dutch

(f). ...norueguês [noh-weh-GEIZ] Norwegian (m). ...norueguesa [noh-weh-GEIZ-a]

Norwegian (f).

 

• Quer dancar? [kehr dahn-SAH] Do you want to dance?

 

• Posso te beijar? [PAW-soo tee bei-JAH] Can I kiss you?

 

• Me dá um beijo! [me dah oohm BEY-jhoo] Give me a kiss!

 

• Sim! [seehn] Yes!

 

• Não! [nõw] No!

 

• Cadê o banheiro? [kah-DEH o bahn-YEH-ro] Where’s the bathroom?

 

• Eu quero ir para… [EH-oo KEH-roo ear PAH-ra...] I want to go to… …Barra [BAH-ha]. …

Pelourinho [peh-loh-REEN-yo]. …Campo Grande [kahmpo GRAHN-djee]. ...Ondina [awn-

DJEE-na].

 

• Vamos para... [VAH-moos PAH-ra] Let’s go to...

 

• Estou procurando... [eh-SHTOH pro-koor-AHN-do] I’m looking for...

 

• Eu gosto de… [EH-oo GAW-shtoo djee] I like…

 

• Muito! [MWEE-to] A lot!

 

• Eu não entendi. [EH-oo nõw ehn-tehn-DJEE] I didn’t understand.

Theodoxus fluviatilis (Linnaeus, 1758)

 

SPECIES DESCRIPTION BELOW

Sets of OTHER SPECIES: www.flickr.com/photos/56388191@N08/collections/

 

Synonyms: Nerita fluviatilis Linnaeus, 1758; Neritina fluviatilis (Linnaeus, 1758 ); Nerita littoralis Linnaeus, 1758; Nerita lacustris Linnaeus, 1758;

Vernacular: River nerite

GLOSSARY below.

 

Shell description.

Usual length to 11mm. Most of shell consists of hemispherical body whorl. Spire of two whorls, very small but distinct with well defined sutures, but often eroded (image M. Maňas) flic.kr/p/pLWdPd on older specimens if calcium carbonate content of water is below optimum. Only sculpture is fine growth lines. Aperture D-shaped, occupies about 75% of ventral face. Inner lip expanded into wide, white or yellow, shelf like septum covering about 40% of aperture 1Tf flic.kr/p/R4NmUD . Palatal (outer) lip thin. Smooth exterior, with slight sheen, is white or yellowish with extremely varied brown, black 2Tf flic.kr/p/PMs5eC , purple, violet 3Tf flic.kr/p/PMs4Nh or pinkish markings, often reticulate or forming zig zags, blotches or hieroglyph like marks. Majority of some populations are heavily encrusted with black/brown alga or minerals 1Tf flic.kr/p/R4NmUD . Internally dull yellowish. D shaped operculum consists of thick proximal calcareous layer that adheres to foot and is further secured by a strong hooked peg embedded into the foot, and a thin distal layer of conchiolin that extends beyond the rigid calcareous layer to form a flexible seal around the edges of the operculum when closed.

 

Images of live animals: by other Flickr members:

Michal Maňas flic.kr/p/oQ4ccH flic.kr/p/pLRBpg flic.kr/p/pLBXFT flic.kr/p/pJLhT1 flic.kr/p/pLVTHs

Brian Eversham flic.kr/p/eaaTcN

 

Habits and ecology

Obligatory calcicole species (Boycott,1936) living on hard substrate in lime rich water in rivers, freely flowing canals and large lakes with appreciable wave action, in lowlands; significantly unrecorded from upland limestone of Derbyshire, England. Also in brackish water, generally to salinity 2.5‰, but up to 17‰; abundant in parts of Baltic Sea, also in Black Sea, the Netherlands and a brackish loch in Orkney, aerial image at www.google.co.uk/maps/@59.0020569,-3.2192657,11600m/data=... . Linnaeus named three forms of Theodoxus fluviatilis as separate species according to their habitats; Nerita fluviatilis (river), N. lacustris (lake) and N. littoralis (seashore). These names are sometimes added to form subspecies names. For two centuries the "littoralis" name was mistakenly used in the form Littorina littoralis by many for Littorina obtusata sensu lato 3Tf flic.kr/p/PMs4Nh . Spawns April to October. Depressed spherical, yellow or whitish egg capsules, with equatorial suture, attached to rock, wood, shells of other individuals and, sometimes, plants (image, B. Eversham) flic.kr/p/egw7ow . Matt surface of capsule coated with fine layer of sand grains and diatom cases from the crystal sac which accumulates them from rectum. Each capsule contains several ova; c. 140 in freshwater, c. 50 in brackish water, but one snail emerges (no planktonic veliger) having used the other ova as food over 30 to 60 days. After emergence, lower half of capsule may remain (image M. Maňas) flic.kr/p/pLWdPd . Lifespan 2 or 3 years. Although mainly an inhabitant of freshwater, Theodoxus fluviatilis is allied to typical marine gastropods in having an operculum 1Tf flic.kr/p/R4NmUD and ctenidium (gill) (image M. Maňas) flic.kr/p/pJLgry .

Distribution and status

Most of lowland western Europe from Baltic (about 60ºN) to Mediterranean and Black Sea GBIF map www.gbif.org/species/2291444 . Widespread in Ireland. In Britain confined to lowland England with a few records in lowland Wales and two sites in Scotland UK map NBN species.nbnatlas.org/species/NBNSYS0000006601#tab_mapView

 

Acknowledgements

I wish to thank Simon Taylor, Marine Recorder for the Conchological Society of G.B. and Ireland, for helpful discussion and the provision of specimens and photographs. Michal Maňas and Brian Eversham are thanked for access to their images of live Theodoxus fluviatilis.

 

Links and references

Boycott, A.E. 1936. The habitats of freshwater mollusca in Britain. J. animal Ecol. 5 116 to 186.

 

Forbes, E. & Hanley S. 1849-to 53. A history of the British mollusca and their shells. vol. 3 (1853), London, van Voorst. As Neritina fluviatilis; Free pdf at www.biodiversitylibrary.org/item/46371#page/18/mode/1up p2 to 6

 

Fretter, V. and Graham, A. 1962. British prosobranch molluscs: their functional anatomy and ecology. Ray Society, London. (Has index of species.)

 

Fretter, V. and Graham, A. 1994. British prosobranch molluscs: their functional anatomy and ecology. Revised edition. Ray Society, London. (Much new material but lacks index of species.)

 

Graham, A. 1988. Prosobranch and pyramidellid gastropods. Linnean Synopsis No.2 (Second Edition). Brill & Backhuys, Leiden.

 

Jeffreys, J.G. 1862-to 69. British conchology. vol. 1 (1862). van Voorst, London. As Neritina fluviatilis; Free pdf at . www.biodiversitylibrary.org/item/63190#page/178/mode/1up p52 to 55

 

Kebapçı, U. & Van Damme, D. 2012. Theodoxus fluviatilis. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2012: e.T165352A1081028. dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.2012-1.RLTS.T165352A1081028.en. Downloaded on 06 January 2017.

 

Kerney, M. 1999. Atlas of the land and freshwater molluscs of Britain and Ireland. Harley Books, Great Horkesley, Colchester.

 

Maňas, M. accessed Jan. 2017. Blog about gastropods: text and images of T. fluviatilis.

gastropods.wordpress.com/2014/10/23/photo-of-the-day-34-t...

 

Pfleger, V. 1998. A field guide in colour to molluscs. Aventinum, Prague, Czech Republic.

 

Wikipedia, accessed January 2017. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Theodoxus_fluviatilis

 

Current taxonomy: World Register of Marine Species (WoRMS) www.marinespecies.org/aphia.php?p=taxdetails&id=153558

 

Glossary

adapical = towards the apex of the shell.

aperture = mouth of gastropod shell; outlet for head and foot.

auct. (abbreviation of “auctorum”; “of authors”) = name, often of another valid sp., used in error for this one by other author(s). en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Auctorum

 

calcicole = species that thrives best in lime rich conditions.

calcicole, obligatory = species that requires lime rich conditions to survive and reproduce.

cephalic (adj.) = of or on the head.

cilia (pl.) = vibrating linear extensions of membrane used in feeding or locomotion. (“cilium” singular).

 

ciliated = (adj.) coated with cilia.

columella = solid or hollow axial “little column” around which gastropod shell spirals; hidden inside shell, except on final whorl next to lower part of inner lip of aperture where hollow ones may end in an umbilicus or siphonal canal.

 

columellar (adj.)= of or near central axis of spiral gastropod.

columellar lip = lower (abapical) part of inner lip of aperture.

crystal sac (in Theodoxus) = small receptacle adjacent to terminal opening of oviduct for storing sand grains and diatom cases from rectum until needed for coating sticky egg capsules as they emerge from oviduct.

 

ctenidium = comb-like molluscan gill; usually an axis with a row of filaments either side.

diatom = microscopic aquatic alga with siliceous cell-walls.

height = (of gastropod shells) distance from apex of spire to base of aperture.

mantle = sheet of tissue that secretes the shell and forms a cavity for the gill in most marine molluscs.

 

opercular (adj.) = of the operculum.

opercular disc = part of foot that growing operculum rotates on.

opercular lobe = extension of opercular disc round edge of part of operculum.

operculum = plate of horny conchiolin, rarely calcareous, used to close shell aperture.

suture = groove or line where whorls of gastropod shell adjoin, or joint line on other items, such as egg capsules.

 

sensu lato (abbreviation s.l.) = in the wide sense, possibly an aggregate of more than one species.

 

veliger = shelled larva of marine gastropod or bivalve mollusc which swims by beating cilia of a velum (bilobed flap). Stage may be passed in plankton or within liquid-filled egg-capsule.

 

Rhodic (great group, subgroup).—A term used as a formative element for some great groups of Alfisols and Ultisols and for some subgroups that are intergrades to those great groups. It is intended to group soils having very dark red color, which is indicative of free iron in the soil. The free iron and its form are important factors in determining the pH-dependent charge on the clay particles, and the charge on the particles in turn is a factor in maintaining the commonly observed stable structure in these soils even when cultivated intensively. These soils formed on basic or ultrabasic rocks, such as basalts and limestones. The content of phosphorus is generally higher in soils of the Rhodic great groups compared to those in other associated great groups of Alfisols and Ultisols. The combination of a natural source of cations and phosphorous contributes to the relatively high native fertility of the Rhodic soils.

 

Figure 93.—Soil profile of Cumberland soil (fine, mixed, semiactive, thermic Rhodic Paleudalf). These soils have dark reddish brown silty A horizons and dark red clayey Bt horizons. Rhodic Paleudalfs have, in all subhorizons in the upper 75 cm of the argillic horizon or throughout the entire argillic horizon if less than 75 cm thick, more than 50 percent colors that have hue of 2.5YR or redder; and value, moist, of 3 or less; and dry value no more than 1 unit higher than the moist value. The dominant color of the Bt horizon in this sample is dark red (10R 3/6).

 

  

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Home --> Inboxer Rebellion --> Household Tips --> Cell Phone Functions

 

Cell Phone Functions

 

Claim: E-mail lists five little-known but useful functions associated with cell phones.

 

Status: Multiple — see below.

 

Example: [Collected via e-mail, February 2007]

 

THINGS YOU NEVER KNEW YOUR CELL PHONE COULD DO !!!

 

There are a few things that can be done in times of grave emergencies.

Your mobile phone can actually be a life saver or an emergency tool for

survival. Check out the things that you can do with it:

 

FIRST Subject: Emergency

 

The Emergency Number

worldwide for Mobile is 112. If you find yourself out of the coverage

area of your mobile; network and there is an emergency, dial 112 and

the mobile will search any existing network to establish the emergency

number for you, and interestingly this number 112 can be dialed even if

the keypad is locked. Try it out.

 

SECOND Subject: Have you locked your keys in the car?

 

Does

 

your car have remote keyless entry? This may

come in handy someday. Good reason to own a cell phone: If you lock

your keys in the car and the spare keys are at home, call someone at

home on their cell phone from your cell phone. Hold your cell phone

about a foot from your car door and have the person at your home press

the unlock button, holding it near the mobile phone on their end. Your

car will unlock. Saves someone from having to drive your keys to you.

Distance is no object. You could be hundreds of miles away, and if you

can reach someone who has the other "remote" for your car, you can

unlock the doors (or the trunk). Editor's Note: It works fine! We tried

it out and it unlocked our car over

a cell phone!"

 

THIRD Subject: Hidden Battery Power

 

Imagine your cell

battery is very low. To activate, press the keys *3370# Your cell will

restart with this reserve and the instrument will show a 50% increase

in battery. This reserve will get charged when you charge your cell

next time.

 

FOURTH Subject: How to disable a STOLEN mobile phone?

 

To check your Mobile phone's serial number, key in the following digits on your phone: * # 0 6 # A 15 digit

code will appear on the screen. This number is unique to your handset.

Write it down and keep it somewhere safe. When your phone get stolen,

you can phone your service provider and give them this code. They will

then be able to block your handset so even if the thief changes the SIM

card, your phone will be totally useless. You probably won't get your

phone back, but at least you know that whoever stole it can't use/sell

it either. If everybody does this, there would be no point in people

stealing mobile phones.

 

And Finally.... FIFTH Subject:

 

Cell phone companies are charging us $1.00 to $1.75 or more for

411 information calls when they don't have to. Most of us do not carry

a telephone directory in our vehicle, which makes this situation even

more of a problem. When you need to use the 411 information option,

simply dial: (800) FREE 411, or (800) 373-3411 without incurring any

charge at all. Program this into your cell phone now.

 

Origins: The message

reproduced above is (with one exception) a compendium of topics we've

already covered in separate articles, so we'll just provide a brief

summary for each entry with a pointer to a more detailed explanation:

Calling 112

on your cell phone will (in some parts of the world, primarily Europe)

connect you to local emergency services, even if you are outside your

provider's service area (i.e., even if you are not authorized to relay

signals through the cell tower that handles your call), and many cell

phones allow the user to place 112 calls even if the phone lacks a SIM

card or its keypad is locked. However, the 112 number does not have (as

is sometimes claimed) special properties that enable callers to use it

in areas where all cellular signals are blocked (or otherwise

unavailable). Cars with remote keyless entry (RKE) systems cannot be unlocked

by relaying a key fob transmitter signal via a cellular telephone. RKE

systems and cell phones utilize different types of signals and transmit

them at different frequencies. The claim that pressing the sequence *3370# will unleash "hidden battery power" in a cell phone seems to be a misunderstanding of an option

available on some brands of cell phone (such as Nokia) for Half Rate

Codec, which provides about 30% more talk time on a battery charge at

the expense of lower sound quality. However, this option is enabled by

pressing the sequence *#4720# — the sequence *3370# actually enables Enhanced Full Rate Codec, which provides better sound quality at the expense of shorter battery life. Entering the sequence *#06# into a cell phone may display a 15-digit identification string, but that function only works with some types of cell phones, and the efficacy of reporting the ID number to a cellular service provider to head off unauthorized use of a lost or stolen phone is limited. Some business outfits such as (800) FREE-411

do provide free directory assistance services to cell phone customers.

However, users should note that the service is "free" in the sense that

FREE-411 provides directory information to callers at no

charge, but cellular service providers may still assess charges related

to placing such calls.

 

Last updated: 15 February 2007

 

The URL for this page is www.snopes.com/inboxer/household/cellphones.asp

 

Urban Legends Reference Pages © 1995-2009 by Barbara and David P. Mikkelson.

This material may not be reproduced without permission.

snopes and the snopes.com logo are registered service marks of snopes.com.

  

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--- On Thu, 6/11/09, Bonnie May wrote:

Origami Blog

Ground colour of the notum is pink overlaid by light brown flecks which partly obscure white Y on head. Cerata are flattened, broader at the base and curved inwards; the primary feature for identification (L. Carmona, pers. comm. 7 October 2022).

Dense white, flecks conceal much of pinkish brown digestive gland in cerata.

Length 70 mm. Outer Hebrides, Scotland. April 2018. Leg. S. Taylor.

Full SPECIES DESCRIPTION BELOW

PDF available at www.researchgate.net/publication/364629203_Aeolidia_filom...

Sets of OTHER SPECIES at: www.flickr.com/photos/56388191@N08/collections/

 

Aeolidia filomenae Kienberger, Carmona, Pola, Padula, Gosliner & Cervera, 2016.

 

Synonyms: Limax papillosus Linnaeus, 1761 (partim); Eolis papillosa (Linnaeus, 1761) (partim); Aeolidia papillosa (Linnaeus, 1761) (partim).

 

Current taxonomy: World Register of Marine Species www.marinespecies.org/aphia.php?p=taxdetails&id=880371

 

GLOSSARY BELOW

 

Preface

In 2016, Kienberger et al. segregated with molecular sequencing what had previously been generally accepted in Europe as A. papillosa into Aeolidia papillosa sensu stricto (Linnaeus, 1761) and Aeolidia filomenae Kienberger et al., 2016. Descriptions published before 2016 combine features of the two species and often, such as in Alder & Hancock (1845-1855) fig. 07 flic.kr/p/2nTrizj and Thompson & Brown (1984), illustrated descriptions of A. papillosa with images of probable A. filomenae. This account draws on the descriptions in Kienberger et al. (2016).

 

Description).

A. filomenae grows to at least 70 mm long fig. 01 flic.kr/p/2nTervC . Individuals can vary their width from broad fig. 02 flic.kr/p/2nTriJs to relatively narrow fig. 03 flic.kr/p/2nToD1T . The ground colour of the notum varies from white fig. 02 flic.kr/p/2nTriJs through light beige and pink fig. 01 flic.kr/p/2nTervC to greenish with white or brown flecks fig. 04 flic.kr/p/2nTm3hK which sometimes concentrate into dense brown on the head, rhinophores and pericardial area fig. 05 flic.kr/p/2nTqXXL & fig. 06 flic.kr/p/2nTriAg . There is often a white Y–shaped mark on the oral tentacles and head with its stem passing back between the rhinophores. The mark can be clearly defined intense opaque white fig. 08 flic.kr/p/2nToCQT , less obtrusive beige or light brown, or be partly obscured by coloured flecks fig. 01 flic.kr/p/2nTervC .

Dense cerata usually conceal dorsal surfaces except on the head and a bare zone extending back from the rhinophores fig. 01 flic.kr/p/2nTervC .

The cleioproctic anus is located between the ninth and tenth row of the right side (Kienberger et al. 2016). The genital aperture is situated on the right side between the fourth and fifth anterior rows of cerata (Kienberger et al. 2016) which usually conceal it.

The cerata are arranged in up to 16, often neatly arranged, oblique rows on each side of the body (fig. 09 flic.kr/p/2nTriv6 and Kienberger et al. 2016). Those at the posterior and anterior ends of the body are smaller than the others. They are flattened, broader at their base, and curved inwards fig. 01 flic.kr/p/2nTervC & fig. 02 flic.kr/p/2nTriJs . They may inflate a little to give a thicker cross section fig. 10 flic.kr/p/2nTrisA . They are translucent, usually with little surface pigment to obstruct view of the internal digestive gland which is often white-beige, but can be other colours fig. 11 flic.kr/p/2nToCKc . A large opaque white cnidosac is often visible at the apex of each ceras fig. 05 flic.kr/p/2nTqXXL & fig. 08 flic.kr/p/2nToCQT . The general colour of individuals depends largely on the colour of the digestive gland in the cerata fig. 10 flic.kr/p/2nTrisA & fig. 11 flic.kr/p/2nToCKc but can be modified by, often white, pigment freckles fig. 01 flic.kr/p/2nTervC , fig. 06 flic.kr/p/2nTriAg , & fig. 10 flic.kr/p/2nTrisA . The cerata are usually, but not always, paler than the body.

The blunt, conical, smooth rhinophores are translucent whitish with opaque white or yellowish-white freckles which often concentrate to colour the distal quarter fig. 12 flic.kr/p/2nTm2Xw . Most also have brown spots of varying extent and intensity on the basal three-quarters fig. 10 flic.kr/p/2nTrisA . The eyes are often visible at the base of the rhinophores in lighter

specimens fig. 13 flic.kr/p/2nTqXEX .

The head has translucent, whitish, oral tentacles, with opaque white pigment, which often forms the linear branches of a cephalic Y mark fig. 08 flic.kr/p/2nToCQT . Some also have a few spots of brown pigment fig. 10 flic.kr/p/2nTrisA . The oral tentacles are slightly longer than the rhinophores fig. 02 flic.kr/p/2nTriJs and are placed apart on the anterior edge of the head at a distance, when it is spread, equal to about three times the thickness of a tentacle base fig. 08 flic.kr/p/2nToCQT (IFS, pers. obs.). Ventrally the head is mostly occupied by the bilobed outer lips fig. 14 flic.kr/p/2nTq31r which expand when projected forwards fig. 15 flic.kr/p/2nTrihv .

The broad, thin, translucent foot fig. 16 flic.kr/p/2nTm2GX has small, triangular, propodial tentacles fig. 08 flic.kr/p/2nToCQT on the bilaminate anterior fig. 12 flic.kr/p/2nTm2Xw . Internal viscera, including spheroid ovotestes , may be visible through the sole fig. 17 flic.kr/p/2nTqXnT .

 

Key identification features Features vary and may sometimes overlap with similar species. Identifications should be made on the basis of more than a single feature.

Aeolidia filomenae Kienberger, Carmona, Pola, Padula, Gosliner & Cervera, 2016.

Features as in Kienberger et al. (2016). [IFS pers. obs. in square brackets.]

1) Longest specimen described in Kienberger et al. (2016) was 45 mm; maximum possible length was not stated. 70 mm specimen in fig. 01 flic.kr/p/2nTervC .

2) Body white fig. 02 flic.kr/p/2nTriJs , light beige, pink fig. 01 flic.kr/p/2nTervC or greenish with white or brown flecks [which may concentrate into dense brown on the head, rhinophores and pericardial area fig. 05 flic.kr/p/2nTqXXL & fig. 06 flic.kr/p/2nTriAg ].

3) White ‘Y’ mark on oral tentacles and head, with stem passing back between the rhinophores, is often present. Varies from very evident and intense opaque white fig. 08 flic.kr/p/2nToCQT to unobtrusive beige or light brown, and may be partly covered by white or beige flecks fig. 01 flic.kr/p/2nTervC . [See appendix.]

4) Cerata are typically flattened, broader at their base, and curved inwards fig. 01 flic.kr/p/2nTervC & fig. 02 flic.kr/p/2nTriJs . This is the primary feature for identification (L. Carmona, pers. comm. 7 October 2022) [They may inflate a little to give a thicker cross section fig. 10 flic.kr/p/2nTrisA .]

5) Cerata [usually have much less surface pigment than on A. papillosa and] are usually lighter than the rest of the body fig. 08 flic.kr/p/2nToCQT . [But some have dark cerata fig. 06 flic.kr/p/2nTriAg .]

6) Apices of cerata are white, [often revealing large white cnidosacs fig. 08 flic.kr/p/2nToCQT ].

7) Blunt, conical, smooth rhinophores are translucent whitish with opaque white or yellowish-white freckles which often concentrate to colour the distal quarter fig. 12 flic.kr/p/2nTm2Xw . [Most also have brown spots of varying extent and intensity on the basal three-quarters fig. 10 flic.kr/p/2nTrisA .]

8) Internal eyes sometimes faintly visible at base of rhinophores in lighter specimens fig. 13 flic.kr/p/2nTqXEX .

9) [Distance between oral tentacles at base about three times thickness of tentacle base. fig. 08 flic.kr/p/2nToCQT ,]

Pre 2016 authors such as Alder & Hancock (1845-1855) fig. 07 flic.kr/p/2nTrizj and Thompson & Brown (1984), illustrated their descriptions of A. papillosa with images of probable A. filomenae.

 

Similar species

Aeolidia papillosa

Features as in Kienberger et al. (2016). [IFS pers. obs. in square brackets.]

1) Maximum length 120 mm.

2) Body colour extremely variable: from light white-beige, through mustard brownish, to reddish brown or dark brown.

3) “A white Y–shaped or triangular mark extending from the oral tentacles to the pericardial area between the rhinophores may be present”. [Pale marks on the head are frequent on A. papillosa in America fig. 18 flic.kr/p/2nToChi , where A. filomenae is absent, but seem to be rare in Europe. See appendix below.]

4) Elongate thin cerata, not flattened, usually with uniform diameter for most of length fig. 19 flic.kr/p/2nTqXiV .

5) Cerata usually darker than body fig. 19 flic.kr/p/2nTqXiV .

6) [Dull whitish cnidosac visible if not obscured by white apical pigment fig. 20 flic.kr/p/2nTm2xU .]

7) Rhinophores dark, [often have a small, terminal, translucent, pale spot on the truncated tip fig. 21 flic.kr/p/2nTm2xP & fig. 22 flic.kr/p/2nToCc3 ].

8) Internal eyes at base of rhinophores, visible rarely if ever in Europe fig. 22 flic.kr/p/2nToCc3 . [Sometimes visible in America fig. 23 flic.kr/p/2nTrhUr ].

9) [Distance between oral tentacles at base about three times thickness of tentacle base, fig. 21 flic.kr/p/2nTm2xP ].

 

Aeolidiella alderi (Cocks, 1852) fig. 24 flic.kr/p/2nTqXfd A. glauca (Alder & Hancock, 1845) fig. 25 flic.kr/p/2nTrhTp and A. sanguinea (Norman, 1877) fig. 26 flic.kr/p/2nTrhPw .

1) Extreme maximum length 46 mm (A. sanguinea, others shorter).

2) Body translucent white or pale shade of other colour. Any opaque marks are scattered, small and not dark.

3) No white ‘Y’ or triangular mark on head.

4) Cerata not flattened, with uniform diameter for most of length

5) Cerata have more saturated colour than body.

6) Apices of cerata are white or pale.

7) Rhinophores translucent, no dark pigment marks.

8) Internal eyes visible at base of rhinophores

9) Distance between oral tentacles at base about same as thickness of single tentacle base (IFS pers. obs.).

 

Habits and ecology

Information in this section is mainly from Thompson & Brown (1984) who did not differentiate A. papillosa from A. filomenae, so details may apply to either one or both.

It lives sublittorally and on lower shores where there is some hard substrate, including estuaries fig. 04 flic.kr/p/2nTm3hK & fig. 27 flic.kr/p/2nToC78 down to 20‰ salinity, and on muddy sand with isolated stones coated with sediment, where its widely extended foot enables it to traverse the soft substrate fig. 28 flic.kr/p/2nToC2P .

It will attack and eat sea anemones, including Cylista elegans (Dalyell, 1848) fig. 28 flic.kr/p/2nToC2P & fig. 29 flic.kr/p/2nTqX2T and Actinia equina (Linnaeus, 1758) fig. 30 flic.kr/p/2nTq265 . It is immune to the toxic nematocysts in their tentacles and exuded acontia, and it ingests them and stores them in cnidosacs at the tips of its cerata for release when it is attacked. The effect is powerful enough in a dog's mouth to make it drop the slug (IFS pers. obs.) but it does not prevent haddock, Gadus aeglefinus, from consuming it (Thompson & Brown, 1984). Other enemies include copepod parasites and Nucella lapillus which occasionally eats its spawn.

A. filomenae is a simultaneous hermaphrodite. Its convoluted white, cord of spawn, somewhat resembling a coiled spring, is attached spirally to hard substrate fig. 31 flic.kr/p/2nTq23p from January to August in Britain. It is very similar to the spawn of A. papillosa so its identification requires presence of an adult, ideally in the process of spawning.

Veliger larvae hatch from the spawn and live in the plankton before metamorphosis. Small juveniles are not often found on shore; they may spend their early life sublittorally (Thompson & Brown, 1984).

 

Distribution and status

A. filomenae lives on Atlantic coasts of Europe and is sympatric with A. papillosa in the Netherlands and the British Isles. Kienberger et al. (2016) verified with molecular sequencing specimens from the Netherlands, Atlantic France, north-west Spain and Portugal. GBIF map www.gbif.org/species/8763248 . UK NBN map species.nbnatlas.org/species/NHMSYS0021168707

 

Acknowledgements

For use of images I gratefully thank Matt Barnes, Chris Bryan, Jeff Goddard, , Guillaume Lemonnier, Sutherland Maciver, Erin McKittrick, Stefan Verheyen and Alex Wilson. I thank Simon Taylor for specimens to photograph. For information and advice I thank Leila Carmona and J. Lucas Cervera, but any errors or omissions are my (IFS) responsibility.

 

Appendix

Kienberger et al. (2016) stated of A. papillosa, “A white Y–shaped or triangular mark extending from the oral tentacles to the pericardial area between the rhinophores may be present”. But the common practice of European recorders on iNaturalist and Facebook is to record all specimens with a white Y as A. filomenae.

As substantiation for their statement, Kienberger et al. refer to their Fig. 5B which shows a sequenced A. papillosa from the White Sea with a whitish mark on the head resembling a wine glass with the stem passing back between the rhinophores. Apart from it, the only European Aeolidia image with a wine glass mark found by IFS is one from the Mersey Estuary fig. 32 flic.kr/p/2nToBFd . Whether the wine glass mark should be regarded as a form of white Y is an open question. Sometimes it is centrally faded with small lateral branches to resemble a Y, but the branches bend to meet at an obtuse angle of nearly 180° instead of the acute junction of the arms of a Y fig. 18 flic.kr/p/2nToChi and fig. 33 flic.kr/p/2nTq1SK .

Judging from the many images posted as A. papillosa on iNaturalist, and ‘Fig. 5F’ from Alaska in Kienberger et al. (2016), the wine glass mark is frequent on it in North America both in the Atlantic and Pacific. In the Pacific, it is often misidentified as A. loui Kienberger, Carmona, Pola, Padula, Gosliner & Cervera, 2016, especially in Washington and further north where there is no molecular evidence for A. loui ( L. Carmona, pers. comm. 7 October 2022).

Kienberger et al. differentiated A. papillosa and A. filomenae on the basis of molecular sequencing, and they described morphological features observed on the specimens studied which correlated with each species. It is possible that subsequent experience and photography of larger numbers have revealed more morphological variations but they need molecular sequencing for substantiation.

In June 2016, J. Lucas Cervera, co author with Kienberger, posted on Facebook Group N. E. Atlantic Nudibranchs to say that an in depth, focused study of UK and Irish specimens is still required to understand much better the diversity of this complex in that area, but that without material it is not possible. He would like collections to be made from different localities and then sent to him together in one or two packs, as if he receives the material scattered over time it is difficult to arrange students and material for a study focused on the issue. If you wish to help, please first email leila.carmona@uca.es for detail of how to preserve and send specimens.

Without further linked morphological and molecular study, morphological identifications of British and Irish Aeolidia spp., including those illustrated in this account, are uncertain.

 

References and links

Alder, J. & Hancock, A. 1845-1855. A monograph of the British nudibranchiate mollusca. London, Ray Society. Family 3 Plate 9 [A. papillosa sensu lato includes A. filomenae ] www.biodiversitylibrary.org/item/131598#page/314/mode/1up

 

Carmona, L., Pola, M., Gosliner, T. M. and Cervera, J. L. (2013) A tale that morphology fails to tell: a molecular phylogeny of Aeolidiidae (Aeolidida, Nudibranchia, Gastropoda). PLoS ONE 8(5): e63000. journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone...

 

iNaturalist www.inaturalist.org/observations

 

Kienberger, K., Carmona, L., Pola, M., Padula, V., Gosliner, T.M. and Cervera, J.L. 2016. Aeolidia papillosa (Linnaeus, 1761) (Mollusca: Heterobranchia: Nudibranchia), single species or a cryptic species complex? A morphological and molecular study. Zool. J. Linn. Soc., 177: 481–506. www.researchgate.net/publication/303953645_Aeolidia_papil...

 

Thompson, T.E. & Brown, G.H. 1984. Biology of opisthobranch molluscs 2. London, Ray Society. [A. papillosa sensu lato includes A. filomenae. ]

 

Glossary

acontia = thread-like tissue containing numerous stinging nematocysts which are released by some sea anemones.

 

amphiboreal = living in the cold temperate boreal zone to south of Arctic on more than one side of the Atlantic and/or Pacific.

 

cerata = (sing. ceras, adj. ceratal) lobes on notum of some nudibranchs.

cleioproctic = (of anus) located on the notum to the right of the midline.

Cnidaria = hydroids, jellyfish, sea anemones etc. which possess cnidocytes.

cnidocytes = explosive stinging cells of Cnidaria. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cnidocyte

cnidosac = storage capsule at tips of cerata of Aeolidiidae for ingested cnidocytes.

 

digestive gland = large organ in gastropods which acts like the liver and pancreas in mammals to absorb food.

 

distal = away from centre of body or from point of attachment.

hermaphrodite, simultaneous = individual acts as both male and female at the same time with similar partner.

 

molecular sequencing = technique for determining the sequence of the bases adenine, guanine, cytosine, and thymine (A, G, C and T) in a DNA molecule.

 

notum = (of sea slugs) the dorsal surface of the body; the back.

partim = in part (indicates taxon which has been split and a new name used for part of what used to be included in it).

 

pericardium = sac containing heart, sometimes visible as a raised pericardial mound behind rhinophores in sea slugs.

 

pleuroproctic = (of anus) located on side of body below the notal edge or cerata.

propodial tentacles = tentacular, lateral extensions on anterior of the foot.

rhinophore = chemo-receptor tentacle; many sea slugs have a pair on top of the head.

 

sensu lato = (abbreviation s.l.) in the wide sense, possibly an aggregate of more than one species.

 

sensu stricto = (abbreviation s.s.) in the strict sense, excluding species that have been aggregated or confused with it.

 

veliger = shelled larva which moves by action of cilia on a velum (bilobed flap). Stage may be passed in plankton or within liquid-filled egg-capsule.

 

Makes a great last-minute Hannukah gelt – and the good news is that, unlike Xmas, Hannukah lasts for eight days, so get on down to amazon.com and pass these on to your friends and relatives:

 

Yiddish Glossary for Goyim on amazon:

t.co/q7VAeEhF

 

A Yiddish Glossary for Goyim

May 13, 2013 | By Dave Gordon

 

Have you ever wandered through Hollywood feeling farschimmelt over the mamaloshen?

 

Thanks to Hollywood insider Noë Gold, you no longer have to. In his Yiddish Glossary for Goyim: the Power Shmoozer’s Guide to Hollywood, Gold offers about 100 important Yiddish words that non-Jews (and Jews) should know for getting around the entertainment industry.

 

Between the half-dozen descriptors for male anatomy plus all the uncharitable ways of describing someone down on their luck (with useful distinctions between schlemiel, schlemazel and schmendrick), Yiddish Glossary is filled with words some of us may have already heard, but can’t quite use, or translate, properly.

 

A child of Holocaust survivors, Gold has been an editor at the Hollywood Reporter, a contributor to Variety and a staff writer at Paramount Pictures, among other Hollywood accolades. So we take his tips on good authority.

 

The review on Jewniverse.com is posted here (please share it):

thejewniverse.com/2013/yiddish-glossary-for-goyim/

 

Here's a couple of definitions from the "C" section (no pun intended):

 

chazerei (kchozz-eh-rye) unnecessary embellishments [pronunciation note: the ch sound in this and other Yiddish words is not like the ch in "cheese." To pronounce it properly, use the hard, guttural sound, as if one is clearing the throat or has a large piece of arugala stuck in it.]

"I just want a plain turkey sandwich; no sides, no fries and no chazerei."

 

chaloshes (kchahl-losh-ess) Nausea, faintness, unconsciousness

"I went to that screening and I had chaloshes. I ran to the ladies room and hacked up my kishkas."

 

choleria (kchuhl-ehr-ya) plague

"I need this guy like I need a choleria."

 

chutzpah (kchoots-peh) ]) nerve

"You've got a lot of chutzpah demanding creative control after we agreed to pay you a million five for that script."

 

Yiddish Glossary for Goyim is on amazon: t.co/q7VAeEhF

!7th-century post mill, reputedly the oldest working specimen in Britain. It was built in 1665 for and by Thomas Budgen, from nearby Nutfield. (It's said the builders were able to watch the Great Fire of London from the mill tower.)

 

The official Web site is here. Wikipedia has a detailed description.

 

Processed in Capture One Pro, using a Fuji Eterna simulation.

The term 'yellow-belly' is an archetypal American term, but began life in England in the late 18th century as a mildly derogatory nick-name. Grose's A provincial glossary; with a collection of local proverbs etc, 1787, lists it:

  

"Yellow bellies. This is an appellation given to persons born in the Fens, who, it is jocularly said, have yellow bellies, like their eels."

 

The usage wasn't limited to the Lincolnshire Fens. In the same year, Knight's Quarterly Magazine (London) published an account of life in the the Staffordshire Collieries. It began by describing the region as "a miserable tract of country commencing a few miles beyond Birmingham" and went on to recount a lady's attempts at guessing the nick-name of a local resident - Lie-a-bed, Cock-eye, Pig-tail and finally Yellow-belly.

 

Another English directory, A General Dictionary of Provincialisms, by William Holloway, 1839, which contains the obliging sub-heading - written with a view to rescue from oblivion the fast fading relics of by-gone days, also lists the term:

  

"Yellow-belly, A person born in the Fens of Lincolnshire (From the yellow, sickly complexion of persons residing in marshy situations.)"

 

Holloway clearly lifted the definition from Grose. How much credence we should give to either Grose's or Holloway's explanation of the origin of the term is debatable. Neither seems especially convincing. It is just as likely that 'yellow-belly' didn't refer to a person's complexion and had no literal meaning, but was simply a piece of nonsense name-calling - somewhat akin to 'lily-livered'.

 

There is also a story about the Wexford hurling team that was raised by Sir Caesar Colclough to play a match against a team from Cornwall, in the late 16th century. This has a literal element, in that the Wexford players played with yellow cloth tied around their waist to distinguish them from Cornwall, and this caused them to be nicknamed The Yellowbellies. Wexford do still play in yellow and the name has stuck, although it isn't clear when the nickname was first used. This story, in as much as it can be verified at all at this late date, has no connotations of cowardice. The team might just as likely been called the bluebellies or greenbellies if different material had been available on the day. In fact, none of the early English/Irish uses of the name suggest cowardice. For that sense we have to travel to the USA.

 

The screenplay of a B-feature western wasn't complete without a selection from the list of stock cowboy lingo. You were as likely to find a coward that wasn't called a yellow-belly as you were to see the Lone Ranger without his mask.

 

The first use of the term that I can find from the USA, and one that suggests the derogatory, cowardly meaning, comes from an account of a military skirmish in Texas, reported in The Wisconsin Enquirer, April 1842:

  

We learn from Capt. Wright, of the N. York, that it is the intention of the Texans to "keep dark" until the Mexicans cross the Colorado, and then give them a San Jacinto fight, with an army from 5000 to 7000 men. God send that they may bayonet every "yellow belly" in the Mexican army.

 

The US usage initially applied specifically to Mexicans, who were soon to be at war with the USA. Whether the 'yellow' reference was a racist allusion to skin colour, ill-health, or to a likening to snakes, lizards etc. isn't clear. Whatever the origin, the US 'coward' version seems to be independent of the earlier English nick-name.

   

Source: www.phrases.org.uk/meanings/yellow-belly.html

Ivy Book 1999, 276 pages, glossary, photographs, ISBN 0-8041-1871-X, digest paperback.

 

Author Ches Schneider has been teaching English and history since 1966. During 1969 and 1970, he served in two combat units, the First Infantry Division and the First Air Cavalry, in the Republic of Vietnam.

 

FROM THE AUTHOR:

I was much older than most of the other men in my unit. (I was drafted 30 days before my 26th birthday, had I made the age of 26, I would have been draft exempt, and this book would not have been written.) Also I served in the 1st Air Cavalry Division, not the 1st Air Vietnam. While I did behave myself most of the time and did get a Good Conduct Medal, it was for the 25 plus air assaults into enemy territory that I received the Air Medal. Readers will find my book different from the typical Vietnam book. While I do tell my share of shoot-em up stories (What war vet wouldn't?), about 50% of the book relates the humorous tales of survival in the jungle and on forward fire support bases. I believe that you will enjoy reading about my year in Vietnam.

Vanessa cardui is the most widespread of all butterfly species. It is commonly called the painted lady, or formerly in North America the cosmopolitan.

 

Description

For a key to the terms used, see Glossary of entomology terms.

See also: Cynthia (butterfly) § Distinguishing features

 

Wing scales.

Male and female. Upperside. Ground-colour reddish-ochreous, basal areas olivescent-ochreous-brown; cilia black, alternated with white, Forewing with an outwardly-oblique black irregular-shaped broken band crossing from middle of the cell to the disc above the submedian vein; the apical area from end of cell and the exterior border also black; before the apex is a short white outwardly-oblique streak and a curved row of four round spots, the second and third being small; a marginal pale lunular line with its upper portion most defined and whitish. Hind-wing with a blackish patch from the costal vein across end of cell, a partly confluent recurved discal band, a submarginal row of lunules, and then a marginal row of somewhat scutiform spots; between the discal band and submarginal lunules is a row of five round black spots, which in some examples show a pale and dark outer ring. Underside. Forewing brighter reddish-ochreous, the apical area and outer margin much paler, the apex being olivescent ochreous-brown; discal irregular band as above, subapical white streak, row of spots and marginal lunules distinct; base of wing and interspace before end of cell white. Hindwing transversely-marbled with olivescent ochreous-brown and speckled with black scales; crossed by basal and discal sinuous whitish or pale fascia and intersected by white veins; an outer-discal row of five ocelli, the upper one smallest and usually imperfect, the second and fifth the largest, the fourth with black centre speckled with blue and ringed with yellow, and the second and fifth also with an outer black ring; submarginal lunules purpurescent-grey, bordered by a whitish fascia; outer margin ochreous. Body olivescent ochreous-brown, abdomen with ochreous bands; palpi blackish above, white beneath; body beneath and legs greyish-white; antennae black above, tip and beneath reddish.

 

Distribution

V. cardui is one of the most widespread of all butterflies, found on every continent except Antarctica and South America. In Australia, V. cardui has a limited range around Bunbury, Fremantle, and Rottnest Island. However, its close relative, the Australian painted lady (V. kershawi, sometimes considered a subspecies) ranges over half the continent. Other closely related species are the American painted lady (V. virginiensis) and the West Coast lady (V. annabella).

 

Migration

V. cardui occurs in any temperate zone, including mountains in the tropics. The species is resident only in warmer areas, but migrates in spring, and sometimes again in autumn. It migrates from North Africa and the Mediterranean to Britain and Europe in May and June, occasionally reaching Iceland,[8] and from the Red Sea basin, via Israel and Cyprus, to Turkey in March and April. The occasional autumn migration made by V. cardui is likely for the inspection of resource changes; it consists of a round trip from Europe to Africa.

 

For decades, naturalists have debated whether the offspring of these immigrants ever make a southwards return migration. Research suggests that British painted ladies do undertake an autumn migration, making 14,500 km (9,000 mi) round trip from tropical Africa to the Arctic Circle in a series of steps by up to six successive generations. The Radar Entomology Unit at Rothamsted Research provided evidence that autumn migrations take place at high altitude, which explains why these migrations are seldom witnessed. In recent years, thanks to the activity of The Worldwide Painted Lady Migration citizen science project, led by the Barcelona-based Institute of Evolutionary Biology (Catalan: Institut de Biologia Evolutiva), the huge range of migration has begun to be revealed. For example, some butterflies migrated from Iceland to the Sahara desert, and even further south.

 

V. cardui is known for its distinct migratory behaviour. In California, they are usually seen flying from north to north-west. These migrations appear to be partially initiated by heavy winter rains in the desert where rainfall controls the growth of larval food plants. In March 2019, after heavy rain produced an abundance of vegetation in the deserts, Southern California saw these butterflies migrating by the millions across the state.

 

Similarly, heavier than usual rain during the 2018-2019 winter seems to have been the cause of the extraordinarily large migration observed in Israel at the end of March, estimated at a billion individual butterflies. Painted lady migration patterns are highly erratic and they do not migrate every year. Some evidence suggests that global climatic events, such as el Niño, may affect the migratory behaviour of the painted lady butterflies, causing large-scale migrations. The first noticeable wave of migration in eastern Ukraine was noted in the 20s of April 2019. From May 15, numbers began to grow and it was possible to observe hundreds of this species in the Kharkiv region of Ukraine, including in the city streets of Kharkiv.

 

Based on experimental data, the painted lady's migration pattern in northern Europe apparently does not follow a strict north-west heading. The range of headings suggests that migrating butterflies may adjust their migration patterns in response to local topographical features and weather, such as strong wind patterns. Laboratory-raised autumn-generation painted lady butterflies were able to distinguish a southern orientation for a return migration path. According to the same laboratory-based study, when butterflies were isolated from the sun, they were unable to orient themselves in a specific direction, opposed to those that did have access to the sun. This suggests that V. cardui requires a direct view of the sky, implying the use of a solar compass to orient its migratory direction and maintain a straight flight path.

 

Mating behaviour in relation to migration

V. cardui displays a unique system of continuous mating, throughout all seasons, including the winter. This may be attributed to its migratory patterns, thus significantly affecting its mating behaviour. During European migrations, the butterflies immediately begin to mate and lay eggs upon arrival in the Mediterranean in the spring, starting in late May. In the United States, painted lady butterflies migrating towards the north experience poor mating conditions, and many butterflies have limited breeding capabilities. The "local adult generation" develops during this time, roughly from the middle of May through early June in conjunction with the butterfly progression throughout their flight.

 

During its migratory process, these painted lady butterflies start breeding, and reproduce entirely throughout their migration. Scientists have not been able to find evidence of their overwintering; this may be because they migrate to warmer locations to survive and reproduce. Female painted lady butterflies may suspend their flight temporarily when they are "ready to oviposit"; this allows them the opportunity to continually reproduce throughout their migrations. Because these butterflies are constantly migrating, male butterflies are thought to lack consistent territory. Instead of requiring territory to mate with females and developing evolutionary behaviour to defend this territory, the mating butterflies appear to establish a particular "time and place" in certain locations that they find to be suitable for reproduction. More specifically, they locate certain perches, hilltops, forest-meadow edges, or other landmarks where they will stay until, presumably, a female arrives to mate.

 

Equally important for the reproduction of the painted lady butterflies is the males' exhibition of polygynous mating behaviour, in which they often mate with more than one female. This is important for painted lady butterflies because the benefits may supersede the costs of polygyny since no permanent breeding ground is used. Upon mating, which typically occurs in the afternoon, female painted lady butterflies lay eggs one by one in their desired breeding locations. The variety of eclosion locations ultimately dictates the male painted lady behaviour.

 

Female painted lady butterflies have been observed to have a relatively "high biotic potential", meaning they each produce large numbers of offspring. This perpetual influx of reproduction may be a reason why these painted lady butterflies have propagated so successfully. One interesting aspect that scientists have observed is that these butterflies like to fly towards rain. Further studies have suggested that the large amounts of rainfall may somehow "activate more eggs or induce better larval development". Inhabited locations begin to observe a large influx of new generations of painted lady butterflies in the fall, particularly in September and October. Their reproductive success declines relatively throughout the winter, primarily through November. However, they still continue to reproduce—an aspect of butterfly behaviour that is quite unique. Scientists hypothesize that these extensive migratory patterns help the painted lady butterflies find suitable conditions for breeding, thus offering a possible reason as to why these butterflies mate continuously.

 

Oviposition

Adult butterflies feed on flower nectar and aphid honeydew. Females oviposit on plants with nectar immediately available for the adults even if it leads to high mortality of the larvae. This lack of discrimination indicates they do not take into account volatile chemicals released from potential host plants when searching for oviposition choices.

 

The availability of adult resources dictates a preference for specific areas of flowers. Flowers with more available nectar result in a larger number of eggs deposited on the plants. This reinforces the idea that the painted lady butterfly does not discriminate host plants and chooses mainly on the availability of adult food sources even if it increases the mortality rate of the offspring. The data also suggest that the painted lady butterfly favors quantity of offspring over quality.

 

Vision

Painted lady butterflies have a visual system that resembles that of a honey bee. Adult V. cardui eyes contain ultraviolet, blue, and green opsins. Unlike other butterflies, such as the monarch or red postman butterflies, painted ladies lack red receptors, which means that they are not sensitive to red light. Behavioral studies on the related species, Vanessa atalanta, have demonstrated that V. atalanta cannot distinguish yellow light from orange light or orange light from red light.

 

Roosting behaviour and territory

Groups of two to eight painted lady butterflies have been observed to fly in circles around each other for about one to five seconds before separating, symbolizing courtship. Groups of butterflies usually will not fly more than 4.5 m away from the starting point. To establish and defend their territories, adult males perch in the late afternoon in areas where females are most likely to appear. Once the male spots a female of the same species, he begins pursuit of her. If the foreign butterfly is a male, the original male will give chase, flying vertically for a few feet before returning to his perch.

 

V. cardui establishes territories within areas sheltered by hedgerows. Vanessa cardui tend to inhabit sunny, brightly lit, open environments and are often attracted to open areas of flowers and clovers. Adults spend time in small depressions in the ground on overcast days.

 

Host plants

Larvae feed on Asteraceae species, including Cirsium, Carduus, Centaurea, Arctium, Onopordum, Helianthus, and Artemisia.

 

The painted lady uses over 300 recorded host plants according to the HOSTS database.

 

Defence mechanisms

The main defence mechanisms of painted lady butterflies include flight and camouflage. The caterpillars hide in small silk nests on top of leaves from their main predators that include wasps, spiders, ants, and birds.

 

Human interaction

Vanessa cardui and other painted lady species are bred in schools for educational purposes and used for butterfly releases at hospices, memorial events, and weddings.

field | work :: from the field :: in the kitchen

 

#254 on Explore

I have studied and collected a variety of names that the Latin Alphabets have for a same part. Based on those studies, I designed and letterpressed postcards by myself with one of Pay-by-the-Hour tabletop platen presses owned by Nanikatsu. This is now on sale at the Etsy site of Nanikatsu. Please also visit my WIKI “Type Anatomy”.

 

巷に溢れるラテン文字の部位名を掻き集め、調べ直して各文字毎に纏めたもの。同一部位でも名が異なったり、同一名でも示す部位が異なったり、タイプデザインとカリグラフィーでも名が異なったり。そんな部位名をポストカードとして、なにわ活版研究所さん所有の手フートで手刷りしたのがこれ。現在なに活様のSTORESサイトにて販売中。残り僅少。拙WIKI欧文書体部位名称もご覧あれ。

The latest for the glossary specification, still under user testing.

I have studied and collected a variety of names that the Latin Alphabets have for a same part. Based on those studies, I designed and letterpressed postcards by myself with one of Pay-by-the-Hour tabletop platen presses owned by Nanikatsu. This is now on sale at the Etsy site of Nanikatsu. Please also visit my WIKI “Type Anatomy”.

 

巷に溢れるラテン文字の部位名を掻き集め、調べ直して各文字毎に纏めたもの。同一部位でも名が異なったり、同一名でも示す部位が異なったり、タイプデザインとカリグラフィーでも名が異なったり。そんな部位名をポストカードとして、なにわ活版研究所さん所有の手フートで手刷りしたのがこれ。現在なに活様のSTORESサイトにて販売中。残り僅少。拙WIKI欧文書体部位名称もご覧あれ。

Page #20 from This is Roller Skating

In his 'Provincial Glossary with a Collection of Local Proverbs and Popular Superstitions' of 1787 (1811 edn) Francis Grose records the legend that St Mary the Virgin church in Putney, southwest London - see photo above - and All Saints church in Fulham (on the opposite side of the River Thames) were built by a pair of giantess sisters.

 

The sisters had only one hammer between them, which they would throw to each other in response to a pre-arranged call: '…those on the Surrey side made use of the word, put it nigh! Those on the opposite shore, heave it full home! whence the churches, and from them the villages, were called Putnigh and Fullhome, since corrupted to Putney and Fulham.'

 

[For more on this and other strange stories from across the London Borough of Wandsworth, see my ‘Haunted Wandsworth’.]

The size, and resemblance to the shape, texture and, frequently, the colour of a lemon have given rise to the vernacular names in many languages.

Menai Strait, Wales. June 2013.

Full SPECIES DESCRIPTION BELOW

PDF available at www.researchgate.net/publication/360160568_Doris_pseudoar...

Sets of OTHER SPECIES at: www.flickr.com/photos/56388191@N08/collections/

 

Doris pseudoargus Rapp, 1827.

 

Current taxonomy: World Register of Marine Species

www.marinespecies.org/aphia.php?p=taxdetails&id=181228

Synonyms:

Archidoris pseudoargus (Rapp, 1827); Doris tuberculata Cuvier, 1804; Doris flammea Alder & Hancock, 1844 [uncertain, nomen dubium, in WoRMS, but synonym in Thompson & Brown (1984) and opinion of IFS].

Vernacular names: Sea lemon; Lemon môr (Welsh); søcitron (Danish), citroenslak (Dutch); citron de mer (French); Meerzitrone (German).

 

GLOSSARY BELOW

 

Description

Doris pseudoargus grows up to 120 mm long. Its size and resemblance to the shape, texture and, frequently, the colour of a lemon fig. 1 flic.kr/p/2nfrZfJ have given rise to the vernacular names in many languages. The ample mantle covers the whole body fig. 2 flic.kr/p/2nfujhQ . It is covered with blunt, rounded tubercles of mixed small and large sizes when full grown fig. 3 flic.kr/p/2nfsW5V . The many spicules in the tubercles make the body firm and stiff to touch. The ground colour is usually buff fig. 4 flic.kr/p/2nfrDXU , orange fig. 5 flic.kr/p/2nfuj6n or yellow fig. 1 flic.kr/p/2nfrZfJ but, in addition, many have blotches of brown, pink, white, green, purple or red fig. 2 flic.kr/p/2nfujhQ , fig. 3 flic.kr/p/2nfsW5V & fig. 6 flic.kr/p/2nfsVRU and large assortment in Anderson, 2022). The underside of the mantle is uniformly coloured with no markings fig. 7 flic.kr/p/2nfrTii , but strong dorsal colour may show slightly through the thin translucent periphery fig. 8 flic.kr/p/2nfrTcX .

When fully extended fig. 9 flic.kr/p/2nfmnFg , the rhinophores have a short, smooth, white, cylindrical basal stem below about twenty yellow lamellae forming a tall conoid tapering to a small truncate apex. The lamellae alternate large and small, the latter not extending to the broad anterior face, which consequently shows fewer lamellae. When the rhinophores contract, the stem broadens rapidly at the base and the lamellae close together to form a short stout conoid fig. 10 flic.kr/p/2nfuiMS . The rhinophores can retract into basal pits which have a slightly raised rim bearing tubercles like those on the rest of the mantle.

About nine large, tripinnate gills are arranged in circle, open at the rear, around an anal papilla fig. 11 flic.kr/p/2nfrT2G , which is usually coloured as the mantle. In life the gills are difficult to count; a side view when they are only partially expanded sometimes allows the main stems on one side to be counted fig. 2 flic.kr/p/2nfujhQ . Fully expanded, the gills are voluminous, undulating, semi-prone and often inclined backwards fig. 2 flic.kr/p/2nfujhQ & fig. 3 flic.kr/p/2nfsW5V .

Gill colours are varied. Sometimes they are similar to the ground colour of the mantle fig. 4 flic.kr/p/2nfrDXU . On shores of the Menai Strait, Wales, they often have variable amounts of purple or lilac fig. 3 flic.kr/p/2nfsW5V , fig. 12 flic.kr/p/2nfsVy9 & fig. 13 flic.kr/p/2nfrSUh . Sublittorally in Scotland, they are often blackish with pale ribs (Anderson, 2022). D. pseudoargus is cryptobranchiate; when the gills are withdrawn nothing protrudes and the aperture is surrounded by packed white tubercles fig. 14 flic.kr/p/2nfmnjQ & fig. 15 flic.kr/p/2nfuihD . The small head has a vestigial blunt oral tentacle on either side of an oral slit; often only the tips of the tentacles protrude beyond the foot fig. 16 flic.kr/p/2nfmn7R .

The sole of the foot is usually the same as the ground colour of the mantle, buff, white, yellow fig. 7 flic.kr/p/2nfrTii or orange, without any markings except, occasionally, a continuation of the foot’s pale dorsal freckles around the edge fig. 17 flic.kr/p/2nfuiaK . Translucency sometimes faintly reveals the colour of viscera fig. 7 flic.kr/p/2nfrTii . The palely freckled dorsal surface of the foot may protrude a little when in motion fig. 18 flic.kr/p/2nfrSqB , and is occasionally visible when the mantle is raised fig. 19 flic.kr/p/2nfrCVo .

 

Key identification features

Doris pseudoargus

1) Up to 120 mm long.

2) Usually buff, yellow or orange, often with large blotches of bright colours fig. 2 flic.kr/p/2nfujhQ , fig. 3 flic.kr/p/2nfsW5V & fig. 6 flic.kr/p/2nfsVRU .

3) Variously sized spiculose tubercles fig. 3 flic.kr/p/2nfsW5V give stiff unyielding feel to mantle.

4) Gills often blotched with colour, anus similar colour to mantle fig. 3 flic.kr/p/2nfsW5V , fig. 12 flic.kr/p/2nfsVy9 & fig. 13 flic.kr/p/2nfrSUh.

5) Underside of mantle lacks dark markings fig. 7 flic.kr/p/2nfrTii (may show dorsal colour through skirt fig. 8 flic.kr/p/2nfrTcX ).

6) Head small with vestigial oral tentacles fig. 16 flic.kr/p/2nfmn7R .

 

Similar species fig. 20 flic.kr/p/2nfuhYh , fig. 21 flic.kr/p/2nfuhUV & fig. 22 flic.kr/p/2nfrCFF .

Jorunna tomentosa (species complex needs investigation)

1) Up to 60 mm long, often similar size to medium D. pseudoargus.

2) Sandy, buff, or whitish , any other marks few, small and dark.

3) Very fine tubercles (caryophyllidia); velvety appearance, soft feel.

4) Large pale gills around contrasting dark brown anus.

5) Underside of mantle lacks dark markings.

6) Head has thin distinct oral tentacles.

 

Geitodoris planata fig. 23 flic.kr/p/2nfuhKM , fig. 24 flic.kr/p/2nfsUzL , fig.25 flic.kr/p/2nfsUoo , fig. 26 flic.kr/p/2nfrCav & fig 27 flic.kr/p/2nfrC4P .

1) Up to 65 mm long.

2) Dull yellow or orange-brown, generally less colourful and variegated than D. pseudoargus. Up to 12 pale vaguely stellate areas on dorsal surface of mantle.

3) Tubercles smaller than larger ones on D. pseudoargus, bigger than on Jorunna tomentosa. Mantle feels even stiffer than D. pseudoargus

4) Gill ring often partially separated into left and right groups.

5) Dark marks on underside of mantle (missing on some).

6) Head has well developed linear oral tentacles.

 

Habits and ecology

D. pseudoargus lives on the middle and lower shore, and sublittorally to 300 m. It is well camouflaged on its prey; the sponges Halichondria panicea and Hymeniacidon perleve. It exudes defensive chemicals, but has been used for fish bait. Like other nudibranchs it is a simultaneous hermaphrodite. Breeding has been recorded in all months but the majority spawn and die in spring. Juveniles are soon present, but often overlooked until late summer because of their small size. The usual pattern on the Menai Strait, Wales is adults c. 60 mm long in March, spawn and die; juveniles c. 15 mm in April, c. 30 mm in June; large enough for frequent casual observations by late summer; grow over winter; spawn and die in spring. The spawn mass is a large whitish or yellowish, spiral ribbon attached by its edge to hard substrate fig. 28 flic.kr/p/2nfuhbq . Planktonic veliger larvae live for about four weeks before metamorphosis.

 

Distribution and status

D. pseudoargus occurs from Iceland and northern Norway to Portugal and into the Mediterranean and Baltic as far in as Kiel, GBIF map www.gbif.org/species/5724726 . The GBIF records on the east coast of North America as far south as Cape Cod, are of over ten records with images of littoral and sublittoral images between 2017 and 2021 from iNaturalist (accessed 18 April, 2022); the principal recorder, Alex Shure, reporting having seen hundreds offshore. There seem to be no earlier reports of it from north east America known to regular workers in the area. This suggests a recent arrival in America of this large and, when present, easily detected species (Harris et al., 2022). Records from the Pacific and Gulf of Mexico are probably of other species of similar appearance (Thompson and Brown, 1984). It is widespread round Britain and Ireland, and frequently recorded because its large size makes it easy to notice, UK map species.nbnatlas.org/species/NHMSYS0021006612 .

 

Acknowledgements

I gratefully thank Jim Anderson and Allan Rowat for use of their images.

 

References and links

Alder, J. & Hancock, A. 1845-1855. A monograph of the British nudibranchiate mollusca. London, Ray Society. As Doris tuberculata Fam. 1 Pl. 3 www.biodiversitylibrary.org/item/131598#page/96/mode/1up

and as Doris flammea Fam. 1 Pl. 4 www.biodiversitylibrary.org/item/131598#page/102/mode/1up

 

Anderson, J. (accessed 16 April 2022) Doris pseudoargus (Rapp, 1827) Scottish nudibranchs and sea slugs www.nudibranch.org/Scottish%20Nudibranchs/doris-pseudoarg...

 

Harris, L. G., Shure, A., Kuzirian, A., Gosliner, T. M. and Donohoo, S. A. 2022. A European nudibranch new to the Gulf of Maine: Doris pseudoargus Rapp, 1827. Biol Invasions www.researchgate.net/publication/364106528_A_European_nud...

 

iNaturalist Doris pseudoargus observations map, accessed 21 April 2022. www.inaturalist.org/observations?taxon_id=542077

 

Thompson, T.E. & Brown, G.H. 1984. Biology of opisthobranch molluscs 2. London, Ray Society.

 

Glossary

bilaminate = formed of two laminae (layers).

caryophyllidia = digital tubercles with terminal knob surrounded by coronet of spikes, like a clove (spice), on some dorid sea slugs.

 

cryptobranchiate = able to retract gills into a single capacious gill cavity.

dorid = a sea slug in the infraorder Doridoidei; with gills and rhinophores on the dorsum; often shaped like half a lemon or grape.

 

hermaphrodite, simultaneous = individual acts as both male and female at the same time with similar partner(s).

 

lamellae = small plates on rhinophores, or leaflets of gill.(sing. lamella)

lamina = layer

mantle = (of nudibranchs) sheet of tissue forming part or all of dorsal body-surface.

nudibranch = a group of seaslugs with no shell when adult in the order Nudibranchia (not all seaslugs are nudibranchs).

 

papilla = (pl. papillae) small protrusion of flesh.

plankton = animals and plants that drift in pelagic zone (main body of water).

rhinophores = chemo-receptor tentacles on top of head of nudibranch.

spicule = small, slender, sharp-pointed feature mainly composed of calcite (CaCO3) and brucite (Mg(OH)2) .

 

stellate = resembling a star, with radiating lines.

unipinnate = (of gill plume) un-branched simple leaflets along each side of main rib.

veliger = shelled larva of marine gastropod or bivalve mollusc which swims by beating cilia of a velum (bilobed flap).

 

This wireframe shows what a user will see if they click on "Arabic" in the language toggle in the Glossary when viewing a word in Arabic > English view.

Live occupied shell 1: H. 3.1 mm. 2: body whorl 85% H. 3: aperture 53% H.. 4: spout at base of lip. 5: columellar lip a broad white shelf. 6: adapical angle c. 90°. 7: periostracum extends beyond lip of aperture.

Shell height 3.1 mm. Menai Strait. August 2013.

Full SPECIES DESCRIPTION below.

Previous account has been removed and replaced with this 2021 revision.

Sets of OTHER SPECIES:

www.flickr.com/photos/56388191@N08/collections/

PDF available: www.researchgate.net/publication/349896022_Lacuna_crassio...

 

Lacuna crassior (Montagu, 1803)

Synonyms: Epheria crassior (Montagu, 1803);

Vernacular: Grote scheefhoren (Dutch).

 

Glossary below

 

Shell description

The adult shell is up to 14 mm high and 10 mm wide, with a tall spire, tumid whorls, deep sutures and a stepped profile (adult images L. Chianese at flic.kr/p/27NZVYG and M. Segalliquoc at flic.kr/p/Nf7oHo ). The apex is small and depressed, not sharp. The body whorl occupies about 75% of adult shell height, but juveniles have shorter spires so their body whorls are about 80% when 5.5 mm high 1Lc flic.kr/p/2kJ2e6s and 85% when 3 mm high shell 2Lc flic.kr/p/2kJ2e5f . Strandline shells, with periostracum worn off, are smooth with no sculpture apart from slight spiral ridges on the periphery of the body whorl of some specimens.

The aperture is large and slightly squarish, about 45% - 50% of adult shell height; about 53% of 3 mm high shell 2Lc flic.kr/p/2kJ2e5f . In apertural view images, the aperture occupies about 38% of the area of 5.5 mm high shell 1Lc flic.kr/p/2kJ2e6s . The palatal lip is semi-circular, with a slight angle at a short distance from the adapical angle, and a base drawn into a distinct spout 2Lc flic.kr/p/2kJ2e5f . The columellar lip is expanded into a broad, white shelf. A few specimens have a slight columellar groove or small chink-umbilicus, but most lack them. The adapical angle of the aperture is about 90° 2Lc flic.kr/p/2kJ2e5f .

The operculum is a pale yellow, ovoid, spiral 8Lc flic.kr/p/2kJ2e1c , so transparent as to be almost invisible 4Lc flic.kr/p/2kJ5WDV . Live, unworn shells are characterized by a thick, whitish, translucent periostracum which extends beyond the palatal lip when live 2Lc flic.kr/p/2kJ2e5f & 3Lc flic.kr/p/2kJ2e4U and is drawn into prominent, jagged, prosocline, costal ridges 3Lc flic.kr/p/2kJ2e4U & 5Lc flic.kr/p/2kJ5WDj . The shell colour, visible when the periostracum is worn off, is usually cream, pinkish-white, yellowish-white or pale brownish-white. Dead shells with a retained, dried periostracum are brown 1Lc flic.kr/p/2kJ2e6s & 3Lc flic.kr/p/2kJ2e4U . There are no coloured lines or pattern on the shell at any stage.

 

Body description

The flesh is translucent white or yellowish-white, and orange viscera show through the translucent spire 5Lc flic.kr/p/2kJ5WDj . The short snout is approximately cylindrical. When in contact with the substrate, the tip is circular 6Lc flic.kr/p/2kJ2e2z or oval with a slightly crenate edge when viewed dorsally 7Lc flic.kr/p/2kJ2e24 . Yellowish colour may be discernible within the snout 8Lc flic.kr/p/2kJ2e1c . Sometimes, there is a dark mark behind the snout. The cephalic tentacles are long, slender and translucent whitish, tapering to a blunt tip. They are almost smooth when extended, and each has a black eye on a basal bulge 9Lc flic.kr/p/2kJ5WBL . The mantle is yellowish 6Lc flic.kr/p/2kJ2e2z . The mantle cavity contains a whitish ctenidium 9Lc flic.kr/p/2kJ5WBL . The anterior, wide third of the foot is a transverse ellipse distinguished from the narrower posterior by a groove 9Lc flic.kr/p/2kJ5WBL . The very thin, flat, white opercular disc is visible through the operculum. The disc extends at the posterior into a flat, tentacular, opercular lobe which may protrude beyond the operculum horizontally 4Lc flic.kr/p/2kJ5WDV or vertically 5Lc flic.kr/p/2kJ5WDj . Graham (1988) reported two tentacles under the operculum, but only one was detected for this account.

Adult males have a long, thick, compressed penis attached near the right cephalic tentacle and concealed in the shell when not in use.

 

Key identification features

 

Lacuna crassior

1) Wide white columellar shelf, but usually no groove or umbilicus 2Lc flic.kr/p/2kJ2e5f ; sometimes small ones present.

2) Stepped spire.

3) Shell, when live has translucent, orange-brown spire, pinkish-white body whorl and thick periostracum raised into distinct, costal ridges. No coloured lines or pattern.

4) Body translucent whitish 5Lc flic.kr/p/2kJ5WDj .

 

Similar species

 

Lacuna vincta (Montagu, 1803) 11Lc flic.kr/p/2kJ6pJT

1) Columellar groove (“lacuna” or “chink) leading to umbilicus.

2) Spire not stepped.

3) Body whorl usually has four brown spiral bands, sometimes merged or absent.

4) Body whitish with grey; may also have yellow, orange or lurid green parts.

 

Habits and ecology

Often on or near fleshy bryozoan, Alcyonidium 10Lc flic.kr/p/2kJ2dZ5 , but feeding on it has yet to be confirmed by observation. L. crassior has little ability to survive desiccation, so it lives on shores near LWST and sublittorally to 90 m on rocks and on shells or stones resting on soft substrate. Its reproductive and life histories are poorly known (Graham 1988). It is consumed by haddock.

 

Distribution and status

L. crassior occurs from northern Norway to Brittany, France.

GBIF map www.gbif.org/species/2301168 It is the least frequently recorded of the four British Lacuna spp. and has a patchy recorded distribution around Britain and Ireland. In some instances, concentrations of records indicate dredging activity. Littoral specimens may be more frequent in the north.

UK map NBN species.nbnatlas.org/species/NBNSYS0000175974

 

Acknowledgements

I thank Paula Lightfoot for use of her image.

 

Links and references

Forbes, E. & Hanley S. 1849-53. A history of the British mollusca and their shells. vol. 3 (1853), London, van Voorst. archive.org/details/historyofbritish03forbe/page/67/mode/1up

 

Fretter, V. and Graham, A. 1962. British prosobranch molluscs. London, Ray Society.

Graham, A. 1988. Prosobranch and pyramidellid gastropods. London.

 

Jeffreys, J.G. 1862-69. British conchology. vol. 3 (1865). London, van Voorst. archive.org/details/britishconcholog03jeffr/page/344/mode...

 

Current taxonomy: WoRMS www.marinespecies.org/aphia.php?p=taxdetails&id=140167

 

Glossary

abapical/adapical = away from/towards the apex of the shell.

aperture = mouth of gastropod shell; outlet for head and foot.

apical = at the apex.

cephalic = (adj.) of the head.

chink = (see columellar groove).

columella = solid or hollow axis of gastropod shell spiral, exposed on final whorl by aperture where hollow ones may end in a groove and/or umbilicus or be sealed over.

columellar = (adj.) of or near central axis of spiral gastropod,

columellar groove = groove where one face of hollow columella missing, terminates in umbilicus; also called “lacuna” or “chink.

columellar lip = lower (abapical) part of inner lip of aperture.

conchiolin = horny flexible protein that forms the operculum of most marine gastropods, the periostracum and a matrix for the deposition of calcium carbonate.

costa = (pl. costae) rib across whorl of a gastropod shell at about 90° to direction of coiling.

costal = (adj.) of, or arranged like, costae.

ctenidium = comb-like molluscan gill; usually an axis with a row of filaments either side.

ELWS = extreme low water spring tide (usually near March and September equinoxes).

height = (of gastropod shells) distance from apex of spire to base of aperture.

lacuna = (see columellar groove).

mantle = sheet of tissue that secretes the shell and forms a cavity for the gill.

operculum = plate of conchiolin used to close shell aperture.

palatal lip = outer lip of gastropod aperture.

periostracum = thin horny layer of conchiolin often coating shells.

prosocline = (of line or sculpture) obliquely across snail whorl with end nearest apex tilted towards aperture.

suture = groove or line where whorls adjoin each other.

umbilicus = hole or chink on base of shell.

umbilical chink = narrow slit opening of umbilicus on some gastropods.

 

Strap-like spiral ridges only discernible below sutures (1) and on lower half of body-whorl (2). Two spiral rows of large brown marks on the body whorl.

Height 2 mm, Menai Strait, Wales, March 2012.

Full SPECIES DESCRIPTION BELOW

Sets of OTHER SPECIES at: www.flickr.com/photos/56388191@N08/collections/

 

Crisilla semistriata (Montagu, 1808)

 

Synonyms: Turbo semistriatus Montagu, 1808; Alvania semistriata (Montagu, 1808); Cingula semistriata (Montagu, 1808); Rissoa semistriata (Montagu, 1808).

Current taxonomy: World Register of Marine Species (WoRMS)

www.marinespecies.org/aphia.php?p=taxdetails&id=141280

Vernacular: Marmoreret tangsnegl (Danish), Gestreepte traliedrijfhoren, Gestreept drijfhorentje (Dutch).

GLOSSARY below.

  

Shell description

The shell height of C. semistriata is about twice that of the width; it grows up to 3 mm high and 1.6 mm wide. The shell is oval-conical and moderately tall with slightly tumid whorls and distinct sutures. The spire is about 33% of the shell height, with an apical angle of about 40º fig. 01 flic.kr/p/2ouUnmY .

The surface has fine strap-like spiral ridges; about 24 on the body-whorl, but often only those just below the suture and those on its lower half are discernible fig. 02 flic.kr/p/2ouRqsc & fig. 03 flic.kr/p/2ouYgCT . There are also very delicate growth lines crossing the spiral ridges. In southern Europe the growth lines and spiral ribs are often more distinct and create a punctate surface which is masked by the periostracum on many unworn live specimens fig. 04 flic.kr/p/2ouUnjP .

When there is no periostracum, the shell is glossy translucent white fig. 04 flic.kr/p/2ouUnjP . When occupied, the body makes it appear less translucent fig. 05 flic.kr/p/2ouZBgN and viscera may show as faint greyish and brownish patches fig. 06 flic.kr/p/2ouUn9d . The protoconch of 2.25 whorls, diameter 0.3 mm, is pure opaque white fig. 05 flic.kr/p/2ouZBgN & fig. 06 flic.kr/p/2ouUn9d . When a periostracum is present, there is no glossiness and the colour varies with its thickness from pale yellowish fig. 01 flic.kr/p/2ouUnmY to brown fig. 07 flic.kr/p/2ouZnXk . There are two spiral rows of large brown marks on the body whorl fig. 02 flic.kr/p/2ouRqsc & fig. 08 flic.kr/p/2ouZnRd but the lower row sometimes breaks into more rows of smaller marks fig. 01 flic.kr/p/2ouUnmY & fig. 04 flic.kr/p/2ouUnjP . On some the marks are very faint or absent. Sculpture and coloured marks can be obscured by the yellowish to brown periostracum, which in Britain can be very thick fig. 09 flic.kr/p/2ouUn6n .

The aperture is oval with an adapical angle of about 60º fig. 09 flic.kr/p/2ouUn6n . Its height is 40% to 45% of the shell height. On mature shells there is a well developed, continuous, basally flared, white peristome around the aperture, which is most distinct on shells with a thick contrasting periostracum fig. 09 flic.kr/p/2ouUn6n . On younger shells the lip is thinner. The brown exterior marks are often visible from inside the aperture fig. 01 flic.kr/p/2ouUnmY . The columellar lip is reflected onto the body-whorl and conceals the umbilical groove.

The operculum is pale horn-colour and translucent showing the underlying, yellow opercular disc fig. 10 flic.kr/p/2ouYfVv .

 

Body description

The flesh is translucent white. The bifid, translucent snout is tinted yellowish brown either side of the oral tube fig. 11 flic.kr/p/2ouZAZA . It has a slit at the end which opens into a circular mouth fig. 12 flic.kr/p/2ouZB62 .The translucent white cephalic tentacles have no markings apart from a yellow patch in the slight basal swelling which bears a black eye fig. 13 flic.kr/p/2ouXj3S .

At full extension the translucent white foot and head are not as long as the shell fig. 14 flic.kr/p/2ouXj2e & fig. 15 flic.kr/p/2ouZAVN . It is widest at the axe-head shaped anterior and, after a waist, tapers to a rounded point at the posterior. The bilaminate anterior contains the wedge shaped, opaque-white, anterior pedal mucous gland which has its opening between the laminae fig. 16 flic.kr/p/2ouYfNm . The small posterior pedal gland opens on the midline in the widest posterior part of the foot. The operculum rests on a yellow-blotched opercular disc which extends as prominent, translucent white, opercular lobes fig. 14 flic.kr/p/2ouXj2e . Three or four metapodial tentacles protrude from under the posterior of the operculum fig. 17 flic.kr/p/2ouZnCN & fig. 18 flic.kr/p/2ouZAPL . The mantle forming the mantle cavity varies from brownish to light buff fig. 19 flic.kr/p/2ouUmNZ . It can extend to cover the white peristome. There are two transparent almost invisible pallial tentacles; one on the right and the other extending from near the adapical angle of shell-aperture fig. 20 flic.kr/p/2ouZnvi . Within the mantle cavity there is a small ctenidium with nine filaments fig. 21 flic.kr/p/2ouYfwV . A long yellowish white penis is attached behind the right tentacle of males. It may be doubled back into the mantle cavity fig. 22 flic.kr/p/2ouXiMM or protrude from the shell fig. 23 flic.kr/p/2ouYfii & fig. 17 flic.kr/p/2ouZnCN .

 

Key identification features

Crisilla semistriata

1) Maximum shell-height 3 mm.

2) Shell whitish with two spiral rows of brown marks on the body-whorl fig. 02 flic.kr/p/2ouRqsc & fig. 08 flic.kr/p/2ouZnRd . But those with thick periostracum are entirely brown.

3) Spiral ridges on body whorl (may be hidden by thick periostracum).

4) Operculum is translucent pale horn-colour showing yellow opercular disc when live fig. 10 flic.kr/p/2ouYfVv .

5) Head and snout translucent whitish with tinted yellowish brown either side of the oral tube fig. 11 flic.kr/p/2ouZAZA .

6) Cephalic tentacles translucent white with no markings.

 

Similar species

Barleeia unifasciata

1) Maximum shell-height 3 mm.

2) Some shells have prominent, broad, whitish and brownish-red bands, but others are entirely brownish red fig. 24 flic.kr/p/2ouUmHy .

3) No spiral ridges on body whorl.

4) Operculum very dark crimson (often looks black on live animal); outer face convex fig. 25 flic.kr/p/2ouYfoZ often with silvery refringence.

5) Head and snout pale-yellowish overlain by blackish “smoked-glass” effect (varies in intensity) fig. 26 flic.kr/p/2ouYfeA .

6) Cephalic tentacles translucent white with bright yellow basal eye-patch and bright yellow longitudinal line fig. 26 flic.kr/p/2ouYfeA .

 

Habits and ecology

C. semistriata is found in silty situations below rocks and in crevices on the lower shore and to 100 m sublittorally. It is often found with Onoba. It feeds, often gregariously fig. 27 flic.kr/p/2ouZBsp , on organic detritus.

The faeces are oval pellets fig. 28 flic.kr/p/2ouYfcw . The anterior pedal mucous gland fig. 16 flic.kr/p/2ouYfNm discharges within the bilaminate anterior edge of sole which spreads mucus to lubricate creeping.

When in motion the snout and cephalic tentacles protrude beyond the shell, but the foot usually remains below it fig. 29 flic.kr/p/2ouXixy .

At Plymouth it breeds from March to August. The female is fertilised internally by the male’s long penis fig. 22 flic.kr/p/2ouXiMM & fig. 23 flic.kr/p/2ouYfii . Hemispherical, transparent colourless spawn capsules, about 0.6mm diameter, containing 12 to over 20 eggs, are laid on weed or other surfaces. They hatch as veliger larvae which develop a thin red line on the velum and red marks on the foot as they grow. After time in the plankton they settle and metamorphose. The lifespan is probably one year.

 

Distribution and status

C. semistriata is found from Norway to the Mediterranean, but not in the Black Sea, Baltic or most of the continental coast of the North Sea from Denmark to Belgium; GBIF map www.gbif.org/species/4361366 . It occurs on rocky coasts of Britain and Ireland, being common in the south and scarce in the north, and is scarce or absent in the north-east Irish Sea and coast of East Anglia, U.K. map NBN species.nbnatlas.org/species/NHMSYS0021055524 But even when present it is often overlooked because of its small size; there are only eight records from the Atlantic and Mediterranean on iNaturalist www.inaturalist.org/observations?taxon_id=482250 (accessed 17 April 2023).

 

Acknowledgements

I thank Neven Lete and Pero Ugarković for use of images, and Paul Brazier for specimens.

 

Links and references

 

Forbes, E. & Hanley S. 1849-53. A history of the British mollusca and their shells. vol. 3 (1853), London, van Voorst. archive.org/details/historyofbritish03forbe/page/116/mode...

 

Fretter, V. and Graham, A. 1962. British prosobranch molluscs: their functional anatomy and ecology. London, Ray Society.

 

Fretter, V. and Graham, A. 1978. The prosobranch molluscs of Britain and Denmark. Part 4– Marine Rissoacea. J. Moll. Stud. Suppl. 6, 153-241

 

Fretter, V. and Pilkington, M.C. 1970. Prosobranchia. Veliger larvae of Taenioglossa and Stenoglossa. Conseil international pour l'exploration de la mer. Fiches d'identification. Zooplankton, 129-132.

ices-library.figshare.com/articles/report/Prosobranchia_V...

 

Jeffreys, J.G. 1862-69. British conchology. vol. 4 (1867). London, van Voorst. p.46 archive.org/details/britishconcholog04jeffr/page/46/mode/...

 

Wigham, G.D. & Graham, A. 2017. Marine gastropods 2: Littorinimorpha and other, unassigned, Caenogastropoda. Synopses of the British Fauna (New Series) no.61. (344 pages). Field Studies Council,Telford, England.

 

Glossary

adapical = towards the apex of the shell.

aperture = mouth of gastropod shell; outlet for head and foot.

cephalic =(adj.) of or on the head.

columella = solid or hollow axial “little column” around which gastropod shell spirals; hidden inside shell, except on final whorl next to lower part of inner lip of aperture where hollow ones may end in an umbilicus or siphonal canal.

 

columellar = (adj.) of or near central axis of spiral gastropod.

columellar lip = lower (abapical) part of inner lip of aperture.

ctenidium = comb-like molluscan gill; usually an axis with a row of filaments either side.

 

ELWST = extreme low water spring tide (usually near March and September equinoxes).

 

height = (of gastropod shells) distance from apex of spire to base of aperture.

mantle = sheet of tissue that secretes the shell and forms a cavity for the gill in most marine molluscs.

 

metapodial = (adj.) of the hind part of the foot.

metapodium = hind part of the foot.

mucus = (noun) viscous, slippery substance secreted by various glands on molluscs.

mucous = (adj.) pertaining to mucus.

opercular = (adj.) of the operculum.

opercular disc = part of foot that growing operculum rests on.

opercular lobe = extension of opercular disc beyond edge of operculum.

operculum = plate of horny conchiolin, rarely calcareous, used to close shell aperture.

pallial = (adj.) of, relating to, or produced by the mantle (pallium).

peristome = rim round shell-aperture.

plankton = animals and plants that drift in pelagic zone (main body of water).

umbilicus = cavity up axis of some gastropods, open as a hole or chink on base of shell, often sealed over.

 

suture = groove or line where whorls of gastropod shell adjoin.

veliger = shelled larva of marine gastropod or bivalve mollusc which swims by beating cilia of a velum (bilobed flap).

 

velum = bilobed flap of veliger larvae in the plankton.

  

Translucent white body reveals brown intestine (1) and opaque, white ovotestes (2) and other organs. Rhinophores (3) lack lamellae, but are often strongly wrinkled. Length 35 mm. On rocky shore exposed to strong currents, LWS, Menai Strait, Wales. February 2011.

 

Full SPECIES DESCRIPTION BELOW

Sets of OTHER SPECIES at: www.flickr.com/photos/56388191@N08/collections/

 

Coryphella browni Picton, 1980

 

Current taxonomy: World Register of Marine Species www.marinespecies.org/aphia.php?p=taxdetails&id=139980

Synonyms: Flabellina browni (Picton, 1980); Fjordia browni (Picton, 1980).

 

GLOSSARY BELOW

 

Description

Coryphella browni grows up to 30 mm, exceptionally 50 mm, long. The body is translucent white, revealing opaque, white ovotestes and viscera fig. 01 flic.kr/p/2nkX5Tx . The brown intestine-rectum is sometimes visible fig. 06 flic.kr/p/2nkS4dj . The anus is below the second group of cerata on the right and there is a dorsal swelling over the pericardium fig. 02 flic.kr/p/2nkZUKQ . The male and female genital openings are often protruded below the first ceratal group on the animal’s right fig. 02 flic.kr/p/2nkZUKQ & fig. 10 flic.kr/p/2nkZU4e . Small white opaque marks may form a discontinuous medial line from the rear cerata to the tip of the tail fig. 03 flic.kr/p/2nkXp4R , often reduced to a few dots fig. 04 flic.kr/p/2nkYB1c or absent fig. 05 flic.kr/p/2nkYAWj .

The cerata are arranged in groups arising from slight ridges which do not continue across the intervening gaps fig. 06 flic.kr/p/2nkS4dj . The integument of the cerata is transparent, colourless, revealing the bright red to brown internal digestive gland. The cerata have a substantial, wide, opaque white, subapical band of pigment with a translucent, pointed apex fig. 07 flic.kr/p/2nkZU7F .

The rhinophores lack lamellae, but are often strongly wrinkled fig. 01 flic.kr/p/2nkX5Tx . They are translucent with variable amounts of opaque white surface pigment distally fig. 04 flic.kr/p/2nkYB1c & fig. 05 flic.kr/p/2nkYAWj .

The visible head consists of substantial outer lips, usually held as a ventrally slit circle, flanked by large, tapered, translucent oral tentacles with variable amounts of opaque white surface pigment distally fig. 08 flic.kr/p/2nkYATJ . The small black internal eye is difficult to discern on adults, but may be visible to the rear of the rhinophores on the more translucent juveniles fig. 09 flic.kr/p/2nkXssb .

The foot is usually widest at the anterior and tapers steadily to a fine posterior point fig. 10 flic.kr/p/2nkZU4e . The bilaminate anterior edge extends into distinct, usually curved, tapered propodial tentacles fig. 08 flic.kr/p/2nkYATJ . The translucent, white sole faintly reveals some viscera.

 

Key identification features

Coryphella browni

1) Excluding appendages, the only surface pigment on the body is the discontinuous, white, medial line from the rear cerata to tip of the tail fig. 03 flic.kr/p/2nkXp4R , often reduced to a few dots fig. 04 flic.kr/p/2nkYB1c or absent fig. 05 flic.kr/p/2nkYAWj .

2) Broad, white, subapical ring on cerata, but distinct pointed apex is translucent fig. 07 flic.kr/p/2nkZU7F .

 

Similar species

Coryphella lineata (Lovén, 1846) fig. 11 flic.kr/p/2nkXonR and Coryphella chriskaugei (Korshunova, Martynov, Bakken, Evertsen, Fletcher, Mudianta, Saito, Lundin, Schrödl & Picton, 2017)

1) White lines run along dorsum and sides of body, and the full lengths of the rhinophores and oral tentacles.

2) White lines on cerata expand on C. lineata into a white cap with small translucent apex.

 

Coryphella gracilis (Alder & Hancock, 1844) fig. 12 flic.kr/p/2nkYAHD

1) Excluding appendages, the only surface pigment on the body is the discontinuous, white, medial line, often reduced to a few dots or absent, from the rear cerata to tip of the tail.

2) Distal white ring on cerata fragmented and narrower than on C. browni.

Maximum size 15 mm. Round blobs of ovotestes visible in small specimens as it matures at a smaller size than larger species do.

 

Coryphella verrucosa rufibranchialis (G. Johnston, 1832) fig. 13 flic.kr/p/2nkZTTe

1) Interrupted white dorsal line on body becomes continuous on tail.

2) Distal white ring on cerata fragmented and narrower than on C. browni.

 

Carronella pellucida (Alder & Hancock, 1843) fig. 14 flic.kr/p/2nkXs7S

1) White dorsal line on tail.

2) Unbroken white pigment covers distal end, including apex, of cerata.

 

Habits and ecology

C. browni lives offshore and at LWS on rocky shores where strong currents favour its prey; Tubularia indivisa and, sometimes, Corymorpha nutans or Eudendrium.

 

Distribution and status

C. browni occurs from Iceland to Atlantic France. It may extend further; late (1980) recognition of the species makes re-examination of Iberian and Western Mediterranean specimens desirable GBIF map www.gbif.org/species/2292286 . It is common around Ireland and Britain where Tubularia occurs, but less common in the North Sea. UK distribution map species.nbnatlas.org/species/NHMSYS0021185577 .

 

Acknowledgements

For use of images I gratefully thank Billy Arthur, Nathan Jeffrey, Tim Nicholson and Poul Rasmussen. I thank Simon Taylor for providing specimens, and Bernard Picton for advice. Any errors or omissions are my responsibility.

 

References and links

Picton, B. E. (1980). A new species of Coryphella (Gastropoda: Opisthobranchia) from the British Isles. Irish Naturalists' Journal. 20: 15-19. www.jstor.org/stable/25538360

 

Thompson, T.E. & Brown, G.H. 1984. Biology of opisthobranch molluscs 2. London, Ray Society.

 

Glossary

cerata = (sing. ceras) lobes on dorsum of aeolids and some other seaslugs.

distal = away from centre of body or from point of attachment.

integument = an enveloping layer, such as a skin, membrane or cuticle, of an organism or one of its parts.

 

lamellae = small plates on rhinophores.

LWS = low water spring tide, and level it falls to; two periods of a few days each month when tide falls lowest.

 

ovotestis = (pl. ovotestes) hermaphrodite organ serving as both ovary and testis.

pericardium = sac containing heart, visible behind rhinophores in translucent aeolid sea slugs.

 

metapodium = hind portion of the foot. (adj. metapodial).

pericardium = sac containing heart, sometimes visible as a raised mound behind rhinophores in aeolid sea slugs.

 

propodium = anterior portion of gastropod foot. (adj. propodial).

rhinophores = chemo-receptor tentacles on top of head of nudibranch.

  

Broad, maroon-red marks on the head (1), flanks (2) and metapodium (3). ‘Eye brows’ of opaque white spots (4) almost meet across head.

Length 13.5 mm, on pontoon, Portland Harbour, Dorset, April 2012.

Full SPECIES DESCRIPTION BELOW

PDF available at www.researchgate.net/publication/369996574_Hermaea_bifida...

Sets of OTHER SPECIES at: www.flickr.com/photos/56388191@N08/collections/

 

Hermaea bifida (Montagu, 1816)

Authors: David Fenwick and Ian F. Smith (text).

 

Synonyms: Doris bifida Montagu, 1816, Hermaea hancockii Trinchese, 1877

Current taxonomy: World Register of Marine Species

www.marinespecies.org/aphia.php?p=taxdetails&id=140092

 

GLOSSARY BELOW

 

Description

The long slender body of H. bifida grows up to 20 mm long; its length is about 10X its width at the first cerata fig. 01 flic.kr/p/2osyFkz . The body of fed specimens is translucent white with orange-red, orange-brown to maroon-red marks on the head, along the flanks below the cerata and on the long slender metapodium fig. 02 flic.kr/p/2osvies & fig. 06 flic.kr/p/2oszGGZ . Apart from some pale brown around the pericardium and occasionally elsewhere, the white notum has no significant red marks on its surface but the digestive gland is visible as a longitudinal red line connecting with the bases of the cerata on either side of the notum fig. 01 flic.kr/p/2osyFkz . There are many small, opaque white spots which usually coalesce into a larger patch on the pericardium fig. 03 flic.kr/p/2osyFjh . If H. bifida is displaced from its red food algae so feeding ceases, its colours fade to yellowish fig. 04 flic.kr/p/2osALhJ and then colourless transparent apart from some opaque white pigment fig. 05 flic.kr/p/2osAZ3r . Directed search with magnification is needed to find the plentiful, cryptically red coloured ones on fine red algae. Most undirected observations and images are of displaced starved ones with colour loss. The tubular anal papilla is anterior of the pericardium fig. 03 flic.kr/p/2osyFjh . A genital papilla is below and behind the right eye fig. 01 flic.kr/p/2osyFkz .

There are many large cerata along each side of the body fig. 06 flic.kr/p/2oszGGZ . They can be held erect fig. 07 flic.kr/p/2osvNqP , over the body fig. 08 flic.kr/p/2osyEFU or splayed out exposing the notum fig. 01 flic.kr/p/2osyFkz . The cerata are crowded as there is also a series of smaller cerata distally alongside the larger ones fig. 09 flic.kr/p/2osAKs2 . They are translucent with variably intense red tinting and many small, transparent tubercles fig. 10 flic.kr/p/2osAKfd & fig. 11 flic.kr/p/2osAK8j which are often difficult to discern in photographs. Scattered, small, opaque white spots on the cerata may coalesce into larger patches distally fig. 06 flic.kr/p/2oszGGZ & fig. 08 flic.kr/p/2osyEFU . The digestive gland is often visible within each ceras. Its central axis extends to the ceratal tip as there is no cnidosac. All along length of the axis there are ramified and distally forked branches which nearly reach the ceratal surface fig. 11 flic.kr/p/2osAK8j .

The colour of the digestive gland varies from red when it is well fed on red algae, fading through buff-yellow fig. 04 flic.kr/p/2osALhJ to transparent colourless when not fed fig. 05 flic.kr/p/2osAZ3r .

Each rhinophore is an enrolled tube slit open down the distal side. The interior is olive brown, and the exterior is tinted with a variable intensity of translucent red which combines with the inner colour to vary from olive to mahogany red fig. 12 flic.kr/p/2oszFvf & fig. 06 flic.kr/p/2oszGGZ . The apical corners of the enrolled tube are produced into two unequal, translucent white points with the posterior point longer and curved forwards. There are usually a few opaque white spots on the rhinophores, especially distally.

Dorsally the head may be reddish in front of, between and behind the rhinophores, but the eyes are always in a translucent white eye patch, often with ‘eye brows’ of opaque white spots fig. 08 flic.kr/p/2osyEFU which sometimes meet as a transverse bar fig. 01 flic.kr/p/2osyFkz , and occasionally the head may be all white fig. 10 flic.kr/p/2osAKfd . Laterally, the head is translucent white, with broad red marks fig. 02 flic.kr/p/2osvies which may form a horseshoe shape below the eye fig. 07 flic.kr/p/2osvNqP . The extent and intensity of the red varies and is entirely missing on unfed specimens. Ventrally the head is translucent white and consists of the mouth and distinct lateral oral lobes fig. 13 flic.kr/p/2osyDRT & fig. 07 flic.kr/p/2osvNqP .

The long, tapering, slender foot has a translucent white sole which reveals the spheroidal, white ovotestes fig. 14 flic.kr/p/2oszFnp . It is widest at the anterior which is indented medially and expanded into propodial swellings fig. 13 flic.kr/p/2osyDRT . When fully extended it is exposed far to the posterior of the cerata and its length is about 10 times its width at the first cerata. The dorsal rim of the foot is usually white.

 

Key identification features

Hermaea bifida

H. bifida sensu lato varies much and has had some species segregated from it. The following may include others yet to be discovered.

 

1) Maximum length 20 mm. Long slender body; length about 10X width at first cerata fig. 01 flic.kr/p/2osyFkz .

2) Fed specimens translucent white with orange-red, orange-brown to maroon-red areas on head, along flanks and on metapodium fig. 02 flic.kr/p/2osvies & fig. 06 flic.kr/p/2oszGGZ . No significant red surface marks on notum but digestive gland is visible as longitudinal red line on either side fig. 01 flic.kr/p/2osyFkz . Unfed specimens colourless fig. 05 flic.kr/p/2osAZ3r .

3) Rhinophore a slit, enrolled tube; interior olive brown; exterior olive to mahogany; two white apical points, longer one often hooked fig. 12 flic.kr/p/2oszFvf .

4) Cerata appear crowded as distal series of small cerata next to the large cerata fig. 09 flic.kr/p/2osAKs2 .

5) Small colourless tubercles on surface of cerata (often difficult to discern in photographs) fig. 10 flic.kr/p/2osAKfd & fig. 11 flic.kr/p/2osAK8j .

6) Digestive gland in cerata has ramified and distally forked branches which nearly reach the ceratal surface fig. 11 flic.kr/p/2osAK8j .

7) Mouth has distinct oral lobes protruding laterally fig. 13 flic.kr/p/2osyDRT & fig. 07 flic.kr/p/2osvNqP .

8) Feeds on red algae such as Griffithsia, Delessaria, Heterosiphonia and Halurus flosculosus fig. 15 flic.kr/p/2osAJHm .

9) All around British Isles, Atlantic France, southern Scandinavia and possibly western Mediterranean.

 

Similar species

Hermaea cantabra Caballer & Ortea, 2015.

1) Maximum length 9 mm.

2) Translucent white, with many small red to brown spots and streaks on the notum fig. 16 flic.kr/p/2osAHUs , flanks and metapodium. Digestive gland is visible as longitudinal red line with many T-shaped branches on either side of notum. Diagnostic thin red lines run a) down the posterior of each rhinophore and between the eyes to the first ceras fig. 17 flic.kr/p/2osAHyn , b) down the distal edge of the rhinophore-slit fig. 18 flic.kr/p/2osAHon , bifurcating at the rhinophore base to send a short branch to the anterior of the head and a lateral line half the length of the body and c) along the dorsal edge of the foot for its full length. [Some H. bifida have a similar pattern of broad bands fig. 07 flic.kr/p/2osvNqP .]

3) Rhinophore a slit, enrolled tube; interior and exterior translucent white freckled with opaque white spots and red freckles fig. 18 flic.kr/p/2osAHon ; two apical points, longer one slightly curved fig. 17 flic.kr/p/2osAHyn .

4) Elongate cerata are spaced apart in a single series of large and small ones on either side of the notum fig. 16 flic.kr/p/2osAHUs & fig. 17 flic.kr/p/2osAHyn .

5) Smooth cerata often have bulges where branches of the digestive gland approach the surface, especially white ones at about 25% of length from apex, but there are no small tubercles fig. 16 flic.kr/p/2osAHUs . (Those on H. bifida may be difficult to discern in photographs.)

6) Branches of digestive gland in cerata are not ramified and forked.

fig. 17 flic.kr/p/2osAHyn .

7) Mouth has large rounded lips which do not extend as lateral lobes fig. 18 flic.kr/p/2osAHon .

8) In Cornwall, England, it probably feeds on Halurus equisetifolius (Lightfoot) Kützing, 1843 and possibly on the introduced alien Antithamnionella ternifolia (Hooker f. & Harvey) Lyle, 1922 fig. 19 flic.kr/p/2oszDq3 (Fenwick 2023b). Often with H. paucicirra.

9) Currently (2023) there are records from north-west Spain and Atlantic France to south-west England and the Netherlands.

 

Hermaea paucicirra Pruvot-Fol, 1953.

1) Maximum length about 4 mm. Body tapers rapidly from broad anterior to narrow posterior. Much less slender than H. bifida; length about 5X width at first cerata.

2) Translucent white body with extensive dark maroon blotches which conceal the digestive gland in the notum fig. 20 flic.kr/p/2oszD7n . Maroon band runs down the posterior of each rhinophore and between the eyes to join maroon blotch on notum. Broad maroon band runs down the distal edge of the rhinophore-slit, bifurcating at the rhinophore base to send a short broad branch to the anterior of the head fig. 21 flic.kr/p/2osvK24 and a broad, uneven, sometimes discontinuous, dark maroon, lateral band fig. 22 flic.kr/p/2osAV82 to the metapodium where the right and left bands remain separated by a dorsal strip of translucent white with some opaque white spots fig. 20 flic.kr/p/2oszD7n . No maroon line along edge of foot but lateral band may extend to the edge at a few points. Small opaque white spots are scattered over the body and are concentrated densely on the rhinophores and dorsum of the head fig. 21 flic.kr/p/2osvK24 .

3) Rhinophore a slit, enrolled tube which tapers to a single point. Interior and exterior translucent white with two maroon bands and many small, opaque white spots fig. 21 flic.kr/p/2osvK24 .

4) Single series of 5 to 7 large ovoid cerata and some smaller ones along each side of notum fig. 23 flic.kr/p/2osAUVt .

5) Ovoid, smooth cerata with no small tubercles. Covered by red pigment and scattered opaque white spots which are concentrated distally fig. 22 flic.kr/p/2osAV82 .

6) Digestive gland in cerata is bunch-shaped (Caballer & Ortea, 2015), but concealed by surface pigment.

7) Mouth has large rounded lips which do not extend as lateral lobes fig. 24 flic.kr/p/2oszCE5 .

8) Probably feeds on fine red algae. Found on calcareous Corallina in Cornwall (Fenwick, 2023c) but unsuitable for suctorial feeding. Often with H. cantabra.

9) Known from the Gulf of Cadiz, Spain and Cornwall and Devon, England. Probably at intervening places, but overlooked because of its small size and cryptic colouring when on red algae. Only likely to be found by careful searching of fine red algae under magnification.

 

Placida dendritica (Alder & Hancock, 1843).

1) Maximum length about 11 mm. Length about 8X width when fully extended.

2) Body translucent whitish with dendritic green markings fig. 25 flic.kr/p/2oszCqc fades to yellowish brown when unfed.

3) Rhinophore enrolled, widely slit open down anterior, with dendritic green markings fig. 26 flic.kr/p/2osAUz3 .

4) Green digestive glands visible in cerata fig. 25 flic.kr/p/2oszCqc .

8) Feeds in Europe on green Bryopsis plumosa (Hudson) C.Agardh, 1823 fig. 27 flic.kr/p/2osyAR4 and Codium species. Perhaps also on Derbesia species.

9) Northern Norway to Mediterranean. All round British Isles. It, or similar looking species, found in North America, Asia and Australia.

 

Calliopaea bellula d'Orbigny, 1837

These features are of its occasional red form fig. 28 flic.kr/p/2osNfum .

1) Maximum length 10 mm. Length about 3X width when fully extended.

2) Body occasionally dark reddish brown.

3) Rhinophore not enrolled, translucent white with opaque white marks.

4) Digestive gland not visible in body.

5) Ovoid, smooth cerata with no small tubercles. Covered by red pigment and scattered opaque white spots which are concentrated distally.

6) Digestive gland not visible in cerata.

9) Occurs from Norway to the Mediterranean.

 

Habits and ecology

Unlike nudibranchs, which feed on invertebrates, H. bifida, like its fellow sacoglossans, feeds on algae and has no cnidosacs in its cerata. It lives on rocky substrate and hard surfaces such as floating pontoons at ELWST and in the shallow sublittoral where there is enough light for the red algae which it feeds on, including Griffithsia, Delessaria, Heterosiphonia and Halurus flosculosus fig. 15 flic.kr/p/2osAJHm .

It is very well camouflaged on red weed fig. 29 flic.kr/p/2oszC1u . Some recorders report that it has a distinctive smell, variously described as like a Geranium plant or Hydrogen sulphide, which might discourage predators.

It is a simultaneous hermaphrodite. Its small spawn mass contains up to 550 ova with diameter 0.005mm; the smallest recorded ova for a British sea slug. Spawn is reported in Britain in July, September and October. It hatches into veliger larvae which drift as plankton before transforming into adults.

 

Distribution and status

H. bifida and its congeners are very under recorded because the perfect match with fine red algae of the slender shape and the colour of fed specimens makes them virtually invisible unless they are displaced from the algae, when they lose colour and become transparent white showing the thread-like, emaciated digestive gland fig. 05 flic.kr/p/2osAZ3r . Of the 42 images in GBIF gallery www.gbif.org/occurrence/gallery?taxon_key=2298938 (accessed 2 April 2023) about 80% are such ‘white ghosts’ which makes differentiation of H. bifida from its congeners very problematic, and even more so in the Mediterranean where there are more Hermaea species. There are scattered records of it from all around the British Isles species.nbnatlas.org/species/NHMSYS0021316682 , Atlantic France fig. 30 flic.kr/p/2osvHZu and southern Scandinavia.

Iberian and Mediterranean records of H. bifida are uncertain; and may be misidentifications of other species such as in Trigo et al. (2018) which illustrates the H. bifida page with an image of H. cantabra showing its diagnostic lines on the head and T-shaped branches on the digestive gland lines in the notum. In 35 years of fieldwork in the Bay of Biscay only H. cantabra and H. paucicirra, but no H. bifida sensu stricto, were found by Caballer and Ortea (2015) who call into question H. bifida recorded in Iberia and the Mediterranean. The little known Hermaea boucheti first described from the Gulf of Cadiz (Cervera et al., 1988) has ramified and distally forked branches which might lead colourless specimens to be misidentified as H. bifida in Iberia and the Mediterranean.

To find coloured fed specimens, collect a bacon box of fine red weed sublittorally, littorally at ELWST or from the sides of floating pontoons and examine one strand at a time in good light under magnification, if possible with a binocular microscope at about 8X.

 

Acknowledgements

For use of images I thank Glenn Biscop, Pierre Corbrion, David Fenwick and Finley Hutchinson.

 

References and links

Alder, J. & Hancock, A. 1845-1855. A monograph of the British nudibranchiate mollusca. Ray Society, London. [Hermaea bifida Family 3 Plate 39].

www.biodiversitylibrary.org/item/131598#page/462/mode/1up

  

Caballer, M. & Ortea, J. 2015. New data on the genus Hermaea (Mollusca: Sacoglossa) in Europe, with the description of a new species from Spain. Rev. Acad. Canar. Cienc., 27: 125-136. www.researchgate.net/publication/287206056_New_data_on_th...

  

Cervera, J.L., Garcia-Gomez, J.C. & Ortea, J.A. 1988. Una nueva especie del genero hermaea (Gastropoda: Opisthobranchia: Sacoglossa) y redescripción de dos raros sacoglosos de la malacofauna Europea. Iberus. 8(2): 215-224. www.researchgate.net/publication/332031550_una_nueva_espe...

 

Fenwick, D. 2023a (accessed), Hermaea bifida (Montagu, 1816), in Aphotomarine.

www.aphotomarine.com/sea_slug_hermaea_bifida.html .

 

Fenwick, D. 2023b (accessed), Hermaea cantabra Caballer & Ortea, 2015, in Aphotomarine. www.aphotomarine.com/sea_slug_hermaea_cantabra.html .

 

Fenwick, D. 2023c (accessed), H. paucicirra Pruvot-Fol, 1953, in Aphotomarine

www.aphotomarine.com/sea_slug_hermaea_paucicirra.html .

 

Montagu G. 1816. An account of some new and rare marine British shells and animals. Trans.Linn. Soc. Lond. 11(2): 179 -204. archive.org/details/transactionsofli11lond/page/198/mode/...

 

Pruvot-Fol, A. 1953 Etude de quelques Opisthobranches de la côte Atlantique du Maroc et du Senegal Travaux de l'Institut Scientifique Chérifien. 5: 1-105

 

Thompson, T.E. 1976. Biology of opisthobranch molluscs 1. London, Ray Society.

 

Trigo, J.E.; Diaz Agras, G.J.; Garcia Alvarez, O.L.; Guerra, A.; Moreira, J.; Pérez, J.; Rolán, E.; Troncoso, J.S,; Urgorri, V.. 2018. Guia de los Moluscos Marinos de Galicia. Servicio de Publicacións da Universidade de Vigo.

[Images on pp. 399 & 340 labelled H. bifida are of H. cantabra].

 

Glossary

bifurcate = divide or fork into two branches.

cerata = (sing. ceras) lobes on notum of some Nudibranchia and Sacoglossa.

Cnidaria = hydroids, jellyfish, sea anemones etc. which possess cnidocytes.

cnidocytes = explosive stinging cells of Cnidaria.

cnidosac = storage capsule at tips of cerata of Aeolidiidae, but not Dotidae, for ingested unexploded cnidocytes.

 

congeners = species in the same genus.

digestive gland = organ which acts like the liver and pancreas to absorb food.

distal = away from centre of body or from point of attachment.

hermaphrodite, simultaneous = individual acts as both male and female at the same time with similar partner(s).

 

metapodial = (adj.) of the hind part of the foot.

metapodium = hind portion of the foot. (adj. metapodial

notum = (of seaslugs) the dorsal surface of the body; the back.

ovotestis = (pl. ovotestes) hermaphrodite organ serving as both ovary and testis.

papilla = (pl. papillae) small, nipplelike, sensory protruberance.

pericardium = sac containing heart, sometimes visible as a raised mound behind rhinophores in sea slugs.

 

propodium = anterior portion of gastropod foot. (adj. propodial)

propodial = at the front of the foot.

rhinophore = chemo-receptor tentacle; many sea slugs have a pair on top of the head.

  

This wireframe adds a new page to Ibis: Glossary - Add new term. A user gets to this page by clicking on the "Add new term" button on the main glossary page. A user can add a new term, translate it, choose part of speech, add description and add synonyms.

Touchstone 2002, 444 pages, photos, glossary, index ISBN 0-7432-4613-6 , trade paperbackCR review: An objective review the US Army's combat role during the Viet-Nam War will surface uncomfortable facts that many people would rather ignore or wish were not true. The Army's mission was not to capture and hold territory or conquer a country but to inflict sufficient damage to the enemy forces to deter it from opposing the US supported regime in Saigon. The confounding reality was that the "enemy" was impossible to tell apart from the vast rural population of South Viet-Nam and that our combat operations disrupted and demoralized the semi-feudal society we proclaimed that we were defending. Even ardent supports of the war have to ruefully admit that the regime we installed in Saigon was rift with corruption and that the Communist claims that the poor would be better off joining the Viet-Cong had the ring of truth. In short order the enemy ranks swelled with "VC" nighttime combatants that by day were indistinguishable from the rural farmers and villagers. Those soldiers at the point of the US combat spear were ill prepared for the role they were expected to play in this facet of the global Cold-War confrontation between East and West. The vast majority were young draftees honestly fulfilling their military obligation. The 8 to 12 week training they were given and the equipment they were issued was geared for land war in Europe against a uniformed enemy - not in a tropical jungle were the enemy and the locals were impossible to tell apart. A twelve-month tour insured that any lessons learned were lost, as FNG's replaced those with hard-earned survival experience. Six-month duty tours for officer's insured that skilled leadership would be another essential commodity always in short supply. Our soldiers soon learned that the enemy was a master in the arts of camouflage and home made booby traps. Captured enemy village or bunkers, paid with a hefty blood price, were quickly abandoned and soon reverted to the enemy. Exhortations to win the hearts and minds of the locals rang hollow when loading body bags of comrades killed by the sons of the village elders who recently swore allegiance to Saigon. Colonel Hackworth was assigned to command a unit with the one of highest causality rates in the Army. The battalion was full of rebellious soldiers - angry with the Army - whose only desire was to complete their tour of duty. Hackworth describes in this book how the low moral, poor leadership and a feeling of hopelessness played into the enemies strength resulting in careless troops ignoring basic combat skills and blundering into ambushes and booby traps. The author acknowledges the wretched circumstance of our involvement in Viet Nam. That situation was way beyond his pay grade.

Upon assuming command Col. Hackworth instituted what would someday be called a tough love agenda. He clearly and forcefully told the troops that their goal of surviving their tour depended solely upon becoming a mean, hardnosed, combat efficient unit. They would through single-minded attention to jungle fighting skills inflict such a hurt on the enemy that Charlie would avoid tangling with them. Do not look to closely in this book for angry denouncements of the futility of our efforts in Viet Nam. I have a shelf of those books to sell you. This is an essentially heartbreaking but gripping story of how a man helped those he commanded survive in a lousy war by killing the enemy with murderous efficiency.

1: tip of almost invisible, transparent-hyaline metapodium showing black background.

2: tip of metapodium edited to make visible.

3: long, tubular, dark anal papilla, enlarged in inset.

Extended length 15 mm. Low water spring tide (LWS), Menai Strait, Wales. April 2011.

Full SPECIES DESCRIPTION BELOW

PDF available at www.researchgate.net/publication/360276147_Janolus_hyalin...

Sets of OTHER SPECIES at: www.flickr.com/photos/56388191@N08/collections/

 

Janolus hyalinus (Alder & Hancock, 1854).

 

Current taxonomy: World Register of Marine Species

www.marinespecies.org/aphia.php?p=taxdetails&id=140857

Synonyms: Antiopa hyalina Alder & Hancock, 1854.

 

GLOSSARY BELOW

 

Description

Janolus hyalinus grows up to 30 mm long. Much of the body is transparent-hyaline, hence the specific epithet, and almost invisible, showing the colour of what is behind it fig. 1 flic.kr/p/2nhi28S . The dorsum usually has a large, central patch of brown, and smaller, variable areas of it elsewhere. There are also patches and much fine stippling of opaque white fig. 2 flic.kr/p/2nhr7ZJ . The long tubular anal papilla is near the posterior of the dorsum fig. 1 flic.kr/p/2nhi28S & fig. 3 flic.kr/p/2nhpJJ2 .

A confusing mass of long, tapering cerata often conceals the body fig. 4 flic.kr/p/2nhr7Sp and make it one of the most difficult nudibranchs to find, especially when with the erect bryozoans which it preys on fig. 5 flic.kr/p/2nhoHDT . Each ceras has many wart-like papillae on the surface, and one on the apex fig. 6 flic.kr/p/2nhr7D3 & fig. 7 flic.kr/p/2nhr7Bz . Externally, they are entirely transparent, shading to hyaline green basally, apart from a fine opaque white stipple, which concentrates in longitudinal white lines connecting the papillae, and a little yellowish brown on the apex. Internally, each ceras has a brown or black digestive gland extending half way up, or less, except those anterior to the rhinophores, which have no digestive gland fig. 6 flic.kr/p/2nhr7D3 & fig. 11 flic.kr/p/2nhi8gD . When disturbed, cerata are sometimes autotomized.

The brown rhinophores fig. 7 flic.kr/p/2nhr7Bz & fig. 8 flic.kr/p/2nhpJqB have a truncated apex and interrupted, oblique lamellae with opaque white stippling. There is a similarly coloured, sensory caruncle between the bases of the rhinophores and there is a lateral black eye at the base of each rhinophore.

The head consists of a mouth with large outer lips and a small, yellowish white anterior veil flecked with yellow and brown, which extends laterally into small oral tentacles fig. 9 flic.kr/p/2nhpJpp .

The foot is broadest at the gently-rounded, bilaminate anterior which lacks propodial tentacles or projections. It narrows gradually towards the posterior until the metapodium, which tapers to a long slender point fig. 10 flic.kr/p/2nhorAP & fig. 11 flic.kr/p/2nhi8gD .

The transparent sole clearly shows the internal anatomy including the buccal mass, stomach, male genitalia, ovotestes and intestine-rectum fig. 12 flic.kr/p/2nhort9 .

 

Key identification features

Janolus hyalinus

1) Cerata continue round anterior of head fig. 2 flic.kr/p/2nhr7ZJ .

2) Caruncle between bases of rhinophores fig. 8 flic.kr/p/2nhpJqB .

3) Many wart-like papillae on surface of cerata fig. 2 flic.kr/p/2nhr7ZJ & fig. 7 flic.kr/p/2nhr7Bz .

 

Similar species

Antiopella cristata (Delle Chiaje, 1841) fig. 13 flic.kr/p/2nhorqD & fig. 14 flic.kr/p/2nhi88H .

1) Cerata continue round anterior of head.

2) Caruncle between bases of rhinophores

3) Surface of cerata smooth.

 

Proctonotus mucroniferus (Alder and Hancock, 1844). fig. 15 flic.kr/p/2nhoHkg .

1) Cerata continue round anterior of head.

2) No caruncle between rhinophores.

3) Many wart-like papillae on surface of cerata.

There is no character, other than absence of caruncle and a slight variation in rhinophoral lamellae, to distinguish the extremely rarely found P. mucroniferus from J. hyalinus (Alder & Hancock 1844 - 1854).

Molecular sequencing is desirable to test the possibility of it being J. hyalinus with caruncle lost by accident or autotomy.

 

Habits and ecology

J. hyalinus lives on or near its erect bryozoan prey, species of Bugula and Scrupocellaria, where it is highly cryptic and difficult to discern fig. 5 flic.kr/p/2nhoHDT . There is no cnidosac in the tip of the cerata fig. 6 flic.kr/p/2nhr7D3 because J. hyalinus is in superfamily Proctonotoidea, and its prey lacks stinging cnidocytes to store in a cnidosac for defence in the manner of aeolids feeding on Cnidaria.

It occurs at sites both of extreme exposure, such as St Kilda, Scotland, and extreme shelter, such as Lough Hyne, Ireland and Menai Strait, Wales. It has near neutral buoyancy and, sometimes, drifts contracted into a ball resembling a sea anemone fig. 16 flic.kr/p/2nhi87q . Like other nudibranchs, it is a simultaneous hermaphrodite fig. 4 flic.kr/p/2nhr7Sp . The spawn is a looped line of white, ovoid capsules, each of which contains many ova. Spawn has been recorded in the wild in September and November fig. 17 flic.kr/p/2nhpJ4Q , and in captivity in May in a refrigerator at 9° C fig. 18 flic.kr/p/2nhpJ1d .

 

Distribution and status

J. hyalinus occurs from the Mediterranean to northern Scotland and southern Scandinavia, GBIF map www.gbif.org/species/2291875 . It is regarded as one of the rarest British nudibranchs (Thompson & Brown, 1984), but it is probably under-recorded because it is so cryptic and difficult to discern; it is found and photographed by divers quite often in the Oosterschelde, Netherlands fig. 4 flic.kr/p/2nhr7Sp and fig. 18 flic.kr/p/2nhpJ1d . There are scattered records from northern Scotland to the English Channel, NBN map species.nbnatlas.org/species/NBNSYS0000175922

 

Acknowledgements

For use of images, I gratefully thank Nick Blacker, Andrew Easton, Arne Kuilman, Stefan Verheyen and René Weterings.

 

References and links

 

Alder J. & Hancock A. (1854). Notice of some new species of British Nudibranchiata. Annals and Magazine of Natural History. ser. 2, 14: 102-105., www.biodiversitylibrary.org/page/18659561#page/119/mode/1up

 

Alder, J. & Hancock, A. 1845-1855. A monograph of the British nudibranchiate mollusca. London, Ray Society. Fam.3, Pl. 44. www.biodiversitylibrary.org/item/131598#page/494/mode/1up

 

Eliot, C.N.E. 1910. A monograph of the British nudibranchiate mollusca. London, Ray Society. Supplementary volume.

Pl. V archive.org/details/british_nudibranchiate_mollusca_pt8_l...

 

Thompson, T.E. & Brown, G.H. 1984. Biology of opisthobranch molluscs 2. London, Ray Society.

 

Glossary

autotomize = to undergo autotomy.

autotomy = the reflex separation of a body part, often triggered by disturbance, injury or threat.

 

Bryozoa = small, sessile invertebrates living in calcareous erect or encrusting colonies.

caruncle = fleshy excrescence like neck wattle on turkey.

cerata = (sing. ceras) lobes on dorsum of aeolids and some other seaslugs.

Cnidaria = hydroids, jellyfish, sea anemones etc. which possess cnidocytes.

cnidosac = storage space for stinging cnidocytes in the tips of cerata of Aeolidioidea www.seaslugforum.net/find/defcnid , not found in J. hyalinus.

 

epithet, specific = the second word in the scientific binomial name of a species.

hermaphrodite, simultaneous = individual acts as both male and female at the same time with similar partner(s).

 

hyaline = resembling glass in transparency or translucency.

lamellae = small plates on rhinophores, or leaflets of gill.(sing. lamella)

metapodium = hind portion of the foot. (adj. metapodial).

nudibranch = a group of seaslugs with no shell when adult in the order Nudibranchia (not all seaslugs are nudibranchs).

 

papilla = (pl. papillae) small protrusion of flesh.

plankton = animals and plants that drift in pelagic zone (main body of water).

propodium = anterior portion of gastropod foot. (adj. propodial).

rhinophores = chemo-receptor tentacles on top of head of nudibranch.

sessile = (adj.) of organisms living attached to substrate or other organisms.

veliger = shelled larva of marine gastropod or bivalve mollusc which swims by beating cilia of a velum (bilobed flap).