Nudibranchs - Sunshine Coast etc. / 2643b
All photos copyright ©2003-2008 Gary Cobb
31/07/04
Gary Cobb 0416 048 100
gary@nudibranch.com.au
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9143

Lamellaria sp.
Location: Alexandra Headland, Sunshine Coast, Mooloolaba, Queensland Australia
Size: 20 mm
Depth: Intertidal found under rock
Temperature: 19 C		 ORDER: Mesogastropoda
SUPERFAMILY: Cypraeoidea FAMILY: Lamellariidae
This is not a nudibranch.
Photograph by Gary Cobb - Copyright 2003-2008

Lamellariids, or as they now should be called, velutinids, (formerly Family Lamellariidae), are caenogastropod snails, closely related to the Triviidae. In most velutinids the shell is open and flattened, much like a small abalone shell (Haliotidae), and at least partially enveloped by the fleshy mantle. This gives them a fleshy shell-less appearance which often causes them to be mistaken for sea slugs. In most cases when they are crawling a pair of head tentacles will emerge from beneath the body, instantly showing that these are not opisthobranch sea slugs. Another character is the anterior siphon above the head which opens into the mantle cavity. Thanks Slug Forum


Lamellaria sp. internal shell 6.4mm