Lamellaire Transparente

Overview

Lamellaria perspicua is a small, slug-like marine gastropod often mistaken for a nudibranch due to its appearance. Unlike true sea slugs, however, it possesses a thin, fragile internal shell that is completely concealed by its fleshy mantle.

Appearance

This species typically reaches lengths of 20 to 30 mm. Its body is oval-shaped and features a mantle that can vary in color, ranging from translucent lilac-grey and buff to orange or grey-brown. The dorsal surface of the mantle is often covered in irregular, tubercular projections, though it can sometimes appear nearly smooth. Two cephalic tentacles extend from the front of the mantle, and the animal lacks the external gills or dorsal appendages characteristic of many nudibranchs.

Distribution & habitat

Lamellaria perspicua is found across the northeastern Atlantic Ocean, ranging from Norway and Iceland down to the coasts of North Africa and the Cape Verde Islands. It is also present in the Mediterranean Sea, the Gulf of Mexico, and parts of the Caribbean. These snails inhabit various environments, including intertidal zones, where they are often found hiding under rocks, in crevices, or within tide pools.

Biology & behavior

This gastropod is a specialized predator that feeds primarily on colonial ascidians (sea squirts). It is typically found living directly on or in close proximity to its prey. While it is a marine mollusk, it has been observed at a wide range of depths, from the shallow intertidal zone down to several hundred meters.