Flabellina

Flabellina Funeka

Flabellina is a species-rich genus of thread worm in the family Flabellinidae. Most small to medium sized, marine shell-less snails feed mainly on hydroids.

Features

The thread snails of the genus Flabellina have laminated rhinophores. The corners of the base are elongated in the form of sensors. The back is covered with groups arranged on pedestals Cerata in which the nematocysts of cnidarians eaten are stored.

The side of the three-row radula teeth are serrated, the Rhachiszahn occupied with lateral denticles. At the cutting edge of the mandible sit four or more rows of teeth. The anus opens on the right side of the body in addition to the Cerata rows.

The other thread as snails hermaphroditic Flabellina snails have one or two seminal Receptacula. You have an unreinforced penis and a strong ejaculatory duct.

The snails eat cnidarians, especially polyps of hydrozoans, but also sea anemones. Preferred prey of many species are hydrozoans of the genus Eudendrium.

Some species

Thread snails of the genus Flabellina are usually no longer than four inches. The largest species is one with up to 7 cm of the Spanish Shawl ( Flabellina iodinea ) of the North American Pacific coast. In the North Sea the family through the red-violet Fadenschnecke ( Flabellina pedata, formerly Coryphella pedata ), the Milky Fadenschnecke ( Flabellina pellucida ), which Rotrückige Fadenschnecke ( Flabellina verrucosa ), the salmon - thread worm ( Flabellina salmonacea ) and Flabellina is represented browni.

System

Flabellina is one of seven genera of Flabellinidae family. The genus 61 species are currently being counted.

The genus name Coryphella Gray, 1850 ( which is a group of very small thread worm called ), Coryphellina O'Donoghue, 1929, Himatella Bergh, 1890 and Himatina Thiele, 1931, are synonyms of the older generic name Flabellina Gray, 1833.