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Lamellaria sp.

This creature is quite an extraordinary marine snail that was recently found on Guam. Lamellariids (now called velutinids) are a group of gastropods that typically have an open, flattened shell that is often at least partially enveloped by the fleshy mantle. They are sometimes confused with nudibranchs, but the pair of head tentacles that can sometimes be seen emerging from beneath the body (as opposed to nudibranchs' rhinophores) and the siphon above the head make distinction from nudibranchs relatively easy underwater. As with most Lamellaria and many other velutinids, this species is remarkably well camouflaged. It seems to me that this species is mimicking an encrusting bryozoan (aka "moss animal") that can be commonly found around Guam (bottom photo). The bryozoan may be this species' preferred prey, but, on the other hand, most (all?) known Lamellaria feed on colonial ascidians. In any case, it is clear that there is much to be learned about these remarkable creatures! Click here for more images of this species.



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				Lamellaria sp. This creature is quite an extraordinary marine snail that was recently found on Guam. Lamellariids (now called velutinids) are a group of gastropods that typically have an open, flattened shell that is often at least partially enveloped by the fleshy mantle. They are sometimes confused with nudibranchs, but the pair of head tentacles that can sometimes be seen emerging from beneath the body (as opposed to nudibranchs' rhinophores) and the siphon above the head make distinction from nudibranchs relatively easy underwater. As with most Lamellaria and many other velutinids, this species is remarkably well camouflaged. It seems to me that this species is mimicking an encrusting bryozoan (aka "moss animal") that can be commonly found around Guam (bottom photo). The bryozoan may be this species' preferred prey, but, on the other hand, most (all?) known Lamellaria feed on colonial ascidians. In any case, it is clear that there is much to be learned about these remarkable creatures! Click here for more images of this species.
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	Last updated on 6/30/11

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