Cephalaspidea

The Cephalaspidea, commonly known as “bubble shells”, are a group of small to medium-sized, predatory sea snails, marine gastropod mollusks belonging to the subclass Heterobranchia. They are characterized by their distinctive shell, which is usually thin and translucent, and their unique head that can be retracted into the shell. Cephalaspidea have adapted to a variety of marine habitats and are found worldwide.

Mosaic Headshield Slug – Odontoglaja mosaica

Doublehorned Batwing Slug – Gastropteron bicornutum

Bulla arabica

Yellow-brim Siphopteron, Batwing Slug – Siphopteron makisig

Siphopteron flavum

Seaslug – Philinopsis depicta

Philine powelli

Headshield Slug – Philinopsis ctenophoraphaga

Mnestia arachis

Haminoea orbignyana

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Common Names

Common names for Cephalaspidea include:

  • Bubble shells
  • Head-shield snails
  • Acteonidae
  • Ringiculidae

Characteristics

Cephalaspidea exhibit several unique characteristics:

  • Shell: Usually thin and translucent, with a simple, conical shape.
  • Head: Large and prominent, often with a distinctive "shield" or "hood" that can be retracted into the shell for protection.
  • Foot: Wide and flattened, used for crawling on the seabed.
  • Radula: A rasping tongue with rows of teeth, used for scraping algae and other food.
  • Predatory Behavior: Most Cephalaspidea are active predators that feed on small invertebrates such as worms, crustaceans, and other mollusks.

Environments

Cephalaspidea are found in a wide range of marine environments, including:

  • Intertidal zones: Some species are adapted to life in the intertidal zone, where they are exposed to air and changing salinity.
  • Subtidal zones: Many Cephalaspidea are found in shallow subtidal waters, on sandy or muddy bottoms.
  • Deep sea: Some species are found in deep-sea environments, where they are adapted to the extreme pressures and darkness.

References

For further information about Cephalaspidea, you can refer to the following websites: