Thliptodontidae

Thliptodontidae
Scientific classification
Kingdom Animalia Phylum Mollusca Class Gastropoda Subclass Orthogastropoda Superorder Heterobranchia Order Opisthobranchia Suborder Gymnosomata Family Thliptodontidae
Genera
Thliptodon Cephalobrachia Massya

The small planktonic pelagic snails of the family Thliptodontidae (Kwietniewski, 1910) lack a shell (except in their early embryonic stage).They are carnivores, equipped with swimming parapoda (fleshy winglike outgrowths), strong jaws and grasping tentacles, often with suckers resembling those of cephalopods.

A more comprehensive discussion can be found under the entry Sea angel.

Genus: Thliptodon Boas, 1886

• Thliptodon antarcticus Meisenheimer, 1906
• Thliptodon diaphanus Meisenheimer 1903
  • Distribution : Florida, New Zealand, Antarctica, Weddell Sea, Oceanic
  • Length : 2.5 cm
  • Description : rare; inhabitant of deeper water: a pair of wings extend of the middle of the body; slowest swimmer of all pteropods. Buccal apparatus with radula and large hook sacs.
• Thliptodon gegenbauri Boas, 1886
  • Distribution : Mediterranean

Genus Cephalobrachia Bonnevie, 1914

• Cephalobranchia bonnevii Massy, 1917
• Cephalobranchia macrochaeta Bonnevie, 1914
  • Distribution : Bermuda, Iceland, Ireland.

Genus Massya