Limacina helicina (Phipps, 1774)

Description

A small shelled pteropod reaching about 10 mm in body length. The body and shell are translucent white to translucent brown. The shell is a small, dextrally coiled glass-like spire. The animal swims by flapping its wing-like parapodia. The species is the principal prey of the sea angel Clione limacina.

Distribution

Originally described from Arctic waters. Subsequently recorded throughout the Arctic, the North Atlantic, and the North Pacific.

Etymology

The specific epithet helicina derives from the Latin helix ("spiral"), in reference to the coiled shell.

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References

• Clio helicina, Phipps C.J. (1774). A Voyage Towards the North Pole, Undertaken by His Majesty's Command 1773. London: J. Nourse. xv + 253 pp.
• ミジンウキマイマイ Limacina helicina (Phipps, 1774), 奥谷喬司. (2016). わが国近海に見られる浮遊性巻貝類―VI. 有殻翼足類・ミジンウキマイマイ科及び擬有殻翼足類. うみうし通信, 93, 4–5.