Sea Butterfly [Limacina helicina]
Description
Limacina helicina, commonly known as the Sea Butterfly, is a small species of planktonic sea snail. It has a beautiful, translucent, and delicate shell which is often less than 1 cm in diameter. This species is found in all the world's oceans, from the surface to depths of 500 meters. They are known for their unique method of locomotion, flapping their wing-like parapodia to 'fly' through the water.
Taxonomy
| Phylum |
Mollusks
Mollusca
|
|---|---|
| Class |
Gastropods
Gastropoda
|
| Order |
Nudibranchia
Nudibranchia
|
| Family |
Aeolidiidae
Aeolidiidae
|
| Genus |
Limacina
Limacina
|