Snails Sea Slugs and Limpets: Gastropoda

Physical characteristics: The body of this small, jellylike species is transparent. The dark contents of its digestive tract are clearly visible from the outside. It does not have a shell. Large, winglike plates stick out from the sides of the body. Adults measure up to 3 inches (80 millimeters) long, while the wing plates span 6 inches (160 millimeters) across.

Geographic range: This species is found in the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans, between the latitudes of 40° North and 5° South.

Habitat: This species is found near the surface of the open sea.

Diet: Corolla spectabilis eats tiny animals floating in the water.

Behavior and reproduction: Corolla spectabilis sometimes live in large numbers at the water's surface. Food is captured with sheets of a sticky material made by special glands along the edges of the wings. When frightened they can swim away very quickly.

Corolla spectabilis sometimes live in large numbers at the water's surface. (© David Wrobel/SeaPics.com)

The species is hermaphroditic. Adults mature as males and then later become females. Their mating behavior is unknown. Eggs are produced in long, sticky strings measuring up to 1.6 feet (0.5 meters) long.

Corolla spectabilis and people: This species is not known to impact people or their activities.

Conservation status: This species is not considered threatened or endangered. ∎