As all gymnosome pteropods, the sea angels of the family Cliopsidae (Costa, 1873) lack a shell (unless in early embryonic stage). The small lateral winglike flaps are used in a slow swimming mode. The foot is reduced to three small median lobes.
A more comprehensive discussion can be found under the entry Sea angel.
Genus Cliopsis Troschel, 1854
Cliopsis krohnii Troschel, 1854
Distribution : Oceanic, all warm and temperate seas.
Length : 40 mm – 70 mm
Description : somewhat flabby, gelatinous body with a bluish aspect. Highly specialized predator : preys on pseudothecosomes, such as Corolla. On making contact with the wide mucous web of its victim, it grabs the victim with a long proboscis (up to two times its own length), chitinous hooks and cutting radular teeth. They can eat victims three times their own size. Pelagic, lives amidst plankton as deep as 1500 meter.
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