Sea slug with internal shell

March 2, 2000
From: David Freemantle


Hi Bill

Could you please help me to identify the sea slug in the attached photo, taken on a pylon (1M) at Rockingham jetty, Perth, Western Australia at night, 27-02-00. The animal is about 2 cm long and has a dark internal shell. Sorry about the quality of the shots.
Thanks in advance.
David Freemantle

scubadav@rock.upnaway.com

Freemantle, D., 2000 (Mar 2) Sea slug with internal shell. [Message in] Sea Slug Forum. Australian Museum, Sydney. Available from http://www.seaslugforum.net/find/1995

Dear David,
This is not a slug with an internal shell but a snail with an internal shell. Some snails have flaps of skin which partially or fully enclose the shell. In the Cowries (Family Cypraeidae) and the false Cowries (Family Ovulidae), the flaps of skin can retract to expose the shell but in the Velutinidae the flaps are usually permanent the flattened shell being partially or completely enclosed.

Your question has made me prepare pages on the cowries and false cowries so have a look at the three relevant pages for some background information. I first thought your animal was a velutinid, but your mention of a dark visible shell makes me think you have a cowry. Unfortunately I can't make out enough detail to be sure.

Best wishes,
Bill Rudman.

Rudman, W.B., 2000 (Mar 2). Comment on Sea slug with internal shell by David Freemantle. [Message in] Sea Slug Forum. Australian Museum, Sydney. Available from http://www.seaslugforum.net/find/1995

Factsheet

Cowries or cypraeids

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