| Clione antarctica | |
|---|---|
Scientific classification  | |
| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Mollusca |
| Class: | Gastropoda |
| Clade: | Euopisthobranchia |
| Order: | Pteropoda |
| Family: | Clionidae |
| Genus: | Clione |
| Species: | C. antarctica |
| Binomial name | |
| Clione antarctica (Smith, 1902) | |
Clione antarctica is a species of "sea angel", a sea slug, a pelagic marine gastropod mollusk in the family Clionidae, the "sea angels".
The distribution of Clione antarctica is within the Southern Hemisphere, in the polar waters of Antarctica. [1] [2]
The body length of this species is 1–3 cm (0.4–1.2 in). [3]
Clione antarctica is an important component of polar ecosystems. It preys upon Limacina antarctica [1] It is itself eaten by the medusa Diplulmaris antarctica . [4] C. antarctica has a large lipid storage capacity: up to 5% of its wet mass. [5] It is able to survive without food for about six months by utilizing these lipid storage reserves. [5] Clione antarctica lays eggs in the spring. [5]
This species defends itself from predators by synthesizing an ichthyodeterrent (a chemical that deters fishes); this is a previously unknown molecule called pteroenone. [6] The sea angel acts as a "guest" for the hyperiid amphipod Hyperiella dilatata , which takes advantage of the protection provided by the gastropod's icthyodeterrent. [6]
