Marsenina stearnsii
Encyclopedia
Marsenina stearnsii is a species
of small slug
-like sea snail
, a marine
gastropod mollusc in the subfamily Lamellariinae
of the family Velutinidae
.
is known from Alaska
and central California
. It can be found in the rocky intertidal, often in association with the ascidian Trididemnum opacum.
Species
In biology, a species is one of the basic units of biological classification and a taxonomic rank. A species is often defined as a group of organisms capable of interbreeding and producing fertile offspring. While in many cases this definition is adequate, more precise or differing measures are...
of small slug
Slug
Slug is a common name that is normally applied to any gastropod mollusc that lacks a shell, has a very reduced shell, or has a small internal shell...
-like sea snail
Snail
Snail is a common name applied to most of the members of the molluscan class Gastropoda that have coiled shells in the adult stage. When the word is used in its most general sense, it includes sea snails, land snails and freshwater snails. The word snail without any qualifier is however more often...
, a 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...
gastropod mollusc in the subfamily Lamellariinae
Lamellariinae
Lamellariinae is a subfamily of small slug-like sea snails, marine gastropod molluscs belonging to the family Velutinidae, in the clade Littorinimorpha.-Genera:Genera in the subfamily Lamellariinae include:* Calyptoconcha Bouchet & Waren, 1993...
of the family Velutinidae
Velutinidae
Velutinidae is a family of small sea snails, marine gastropod molluscs in the clade Littorinimorpha.- Taxonomy :The following two subfamilies have been recognized in the taxonomy of Bouchet & Rocroi :* subfamily Velutininae J. E...
.
Description
The size of an adult shell varies between 15 mm and 20 mm.Distribution
This white slug-like snailSnail
Snail is a common name applied to most of the members of the molluscan class Gastropoda that have coiled shells in the adult stage. When the word is used in its most general sense, it includes sea snails, land snails and freshwater snails. The word snail without any qualifier is however more often...
is known from Alaska
Alaska
Alaska is the largest state in the United States by area. It is situated in the northwest extremity of the North American continent, with Canada to the east, the Arctic Ocean to the north, and the Pacific Ocean to the west and south, with Russia further west across the Bering Strait...
and central California
California
California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
. It can be found in the rocky intertidal, often in association with the ascidian Trididemnum opacum.