Sea Butterfly (Limacina Helicina)
Sea butterflies are found in all of the world’s oceans. It is a planktonic animal that can be found at the ocean’s surface. Most possess a thin, transparent and lightweight shell that can either be calcified or cartilaginous. The characteristic foot found in gastropods has evolved into a pair of wings that flap and propel them through the water.
The sea butterfly captures its prey by secreting a web of mucus that is typically twice the size of the gastropod itself. They use these mucus nets to capture zooplankton and phytoplankton, which they follow throughout the course of the day; the plankton travel to deeper water in daylight and towards the surface during the night.
During the night, the bioluminescence of the sea butterfly helps with camouflage to protect it from predators. The bioluminescence erases its shadow, which is caused by the moonlight shining into the sea.
Recent studies have shown that the increasing acidity of the world’s oceans are causing the shells of the sea butterflies and related species are dissolving. The lower pH of the water is decreasing the concentration of carbonate ions, which are necessary in the formation of the calcium carbonate shells of sea butterflies.
The sea butterfly captures its prey by secreting a web of mucus that is typically twice the size of the gastropod itself. They use these mucus nets to capture zooplankton and phytoplankton, which they follow throughout the course of the day; the plankton travel to deeper water in daylight and towards the surface during the night.
During the night, the bioluminescence of the sea butterfly helps with camouflage to protect it from predators. The bioluminescence erases its shadow, which is caused by the moonlight shining into the sea.
Recent studies have shown that the increasing acidity of the world’s oceans are causing the shells of the sea butterflies and related species are dissolving. The lower pH of the water is decreasing the concentration of carbonate ions, which are necessary in the formation of the calcium carbonate shells of sea butterflies.