Clionidae
Encyclopedia
Clionidae is a family
of sea angels, which are a group of pelagic marine
gastropods.
They are shaped a little like angel
s, and have flapping "wings", hence their common name. They are gelatinous, mostly transparent pteropods, and they only have shells in their embryonic stage. They are mostly very small, with the largest species (Clione limacina
) reaching 5 centimetres (2 in).
The orange visceral sac is confined to the anterior part.
, 1851 is unfortunately also the name of a family of sponge
s in the order Hadromerida
, class Demospongiae. Within the ICZN
there has been a proposed emendation of spelling to Clionaidae
for the sponge family. The ICZN has ruled that the correct name of gastropod family is Clionidae Gray, 1847, with type genus Clione
Pallas, 1774.
The following two subfamilies have been recognized in the taxonomy of Bouchet & Rocroi (2005)
:
subfamily Clioninae
subfamily Thliptodontinae
subfamily ?
Family
In human context, a family is a group of people affiliated by consanguinity, affinity, or co-residence. In most societies it is the principal institution for the socialization of children...
of sea angels, which are a group of pelagic marine
Marine (ocean)
Marine is an umbrella term. As an adjective it is usually applicable to things relating to the sea or ocean, such as marine biology, marine ecology and marine geology...
gastropods.
They are shaped a little like angel
Angel
Angels are mythical beings often depicted as messengers of God in the Hebrew and Christian Bibles along with the Quran. The English word angel is derived from the Greek ἄγγελος, a translation of in the Hebrew Bible ; a similar term, ملائكة , is used in the Qur'an...
s, and have flapping "wings", hence their common name. They are gelatinous, mostly transparent pteropods, and they only have shells in their embryonic stage. They are mostly very small, with the largest species (Clione limacina
Clione limacina
Clione limacina, common name Naked Sea Butterfly or Common Clione, is a sea angel found from the surface to 350 m in depth. Lives in both Arctic and Antarctic Oceans....
) reaching 5 centimetres (2 in).
External anatomy
The Clionidae use winglike flaps for rhythmical locomotion, as if flying in the sea. These "wings" are attached to the anterior part of the body. The posterior part is gelatinous and mostly transparent.The orange visceral sac is confined to the anterior part.
Life habits
Mating is carried out ventrally for mutual fertilization. The following spring, this results in a free-floating, gelatinous egg mass.Taxonomy
Clionidae d'OrbignyAlcide d'Orbigny
Alcide Charles Victor Marie Dessalines d'Orbigny was a French naturalist who made major contributions in many areas, including zoology , palaeontology, geology, archaeology and anthropology....
, 1851 is unfortunately also the name of a family of sponge
Sea sponge
Sponges are animals of the phylum Porifera . Their bodies consist of jelly-like mesohyl sandwiched between two thin layers of cells. While all animals have unspecialized cells that can transform into specialized cells, sponges are unique in having some specialized cells, but can also have...
s in the order Hadromerida
Hadromerida
Hadromerida is an order of sea sponges belonging to the class Demospongiae.The order includes such species as Cliona celata and some members of the order are a targeted prey for hawksbill turtles....
, class Demospongiae. Within the ICZN
International Commission on Zoological Nomenclature
The International Commission on Zoological Nomenclature is an organization dedicated to "achieving stability and sense in the scientific naming of animals". Founded in 1895, it currently comprises 28 members from 20 countries, mainly practicing zoological taxonomists...
there has been a proposed emendation of spelling to Clionaidae
Clionaidae
Clionaidae is a family of demosponges which are known worldwide. This family is known for boring holes in calcareous material such as mollusc shells and corals, using both chemical and mechanical processes,.-Genera:Genera within this family include:...
for the sponge family. The ICZN has ruled that the correct name of gastropod family is Clionidae Gray, 1847, with type genus Clione
Clione
Clione is a genus of small floating sea slugs, pelagic marine gastropod mollusks in the family Clionidae, the sea angels.Clione is the type genus of the family Clionidae.- Species :Species within the genus Clione include:...
Pallas, 1774.
The following two subfamilies have been recognized in the taxonomy of Bouchet & Rocroi (2005)
Taxonomy of the Gastropoda (Bouchet & Rocroi, 2005)
The taxonomy of the Gastropoda as it was revised by Philippe Bouchet and Jean-Pierre Rocroi is currently the most up-to-date overall system for classifying gastropod mollusks...
:
- subfamily Clioninae Rafinesque, 1815 - synonyms: Fowlerininae Pruvot-Fol, 1926
- subfamily Thliptodontinae, Kwietniewski, 1902 - synonyms: Pteroceanidae Meisenheimer, 1902; Cephalobranchiinae Pruvot-Fol, 1926
Genera
Genera within the family Clionidae include:subfamily Clioninae
- ClioneClioneClione is a genus of small floating sea slugs, pelagic marine gastropod mollusks in the family Clionidae, the sea angels.Clione is the type genus of the family Clionidae.- Species :Species within the genus Clione include:...
Pallas, 1774 - type genus - FowlerinaFowlerinaFowlerina, one kind of "sea angel", is a genus of small sea slugs, marine opisthobranch gastropod mollusks in the family Clionidae.Sometimes called pteropods, these are floating pelagic creatures which swim by flapping two wing-like extensions of their body known as parapodia.Please also see: Sea...
Pelseneer, 1906
subfamily Thliptodontinae
- Cephalobrachia Bonnevie, 1912
- Thliptodon Boas, 1886
subfamily ?
- PaedoclionePaedoclionePaedoclione doliiformis is a species of sea angel, small floating sea slug, pelagic marine gastropod mollusk in the family Clionidae.Paedoclione doliiformis is the only species in the genus Paedoclione....
Danforth, 1907 - with the only species Paedoclione doliiformis Danforth, 1907 - ParaclioneParaclioneParaclione is a genus of "sea angels", small floating sea slugs, pelagic marine opisthobranch gastropod mollusks.They are very small and gelatinous, mostly transparent with only have a shell during their embryonic stage...
Tesch, 1903 - Thalassopterus Kwietniewski, 1910 - with the only species Thalassopterus zancleus Kwietniewski, 1910