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Swimming Cavolinia uncinata. Sea Butterfly. Pteropod.

Swimming Cavolinia uncinata. Sea Butterfly. Pteropod.
Swimming Cavolinia uncinata. Sea Butterfly. Pteropod.
Swimming Cavolinia uncinata. Sea Butterfly. Pteropod.
Swimming Cavolinia uncinata. Sea Butterfly. Pteropod.
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207190
Roger, Liza
Swimming Cavolinia uncinata. Sea Butterfly. Pteropod.
Still Image
09/07/2012
brown_butterfly.jpg
Caption from 2013 wall calendar:
May - Brown Butterfly
Cavolinia uncinata swims by undulating extensions of its body that resemble butterfly wings hence the common name "sea butterflies" for this group of planktonic snails, also called pteropods (wing foot).
Scientists collected this one for a project examining the effects of ocean acidification on pteropods. About half an inch long, its only protection is a small shell around its organs. To feed, it produces a net or web of mucus that floats above it, attached to its mouth. When particles and small prey stick to the net, the pteropod ingests its dinner, web and all.
Image of The Day caption:
The half-inch-long Cavolinia uncinata swims by flapping two wing-like extensions that give the group of planktonic snails formally known as pteropods its unofficial name of "sea butterflies". Scientists on a recent cruise collected this one for a project examining the effects of ocean acidification on pteropods. Cavolinia feeds by producing a net or web of mucus attached to its mouth. When particles and small prey stick to the net, the pteropod ingests its dinner, web and all. This 2013 WHOI calendar, containing this image, is available at the WHOI store.
Photo by Liza Roger
© Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution
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