Spongiobranchaea australis explained

Spongiobranchaea australis is a species of sea angel, a form of sea-slug plankton. It has a partially transparent body with small "wings" that it uses to swim in its habitat. It is classified as a pteropod.

Distribution

Spongiobranchaea australis is found in austral waters near the Antarctic region, in the southern hemisphere. The species is primarily concentrated near areas in close proximity to Australia and New Zealand. The areas they live in is pelagic and temperate; 2 °C - 13 °C.[1] [2]

Description

The average size was recorded to be 22 mm. Regular sexually active males and females vary around 3–5 mm.[3] The largest ever individual was found to be 2.2 cm.[4]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: WoRMS - World Register of Marine Species - Spongiobranchaea australis d'Orbigny, 1836 . 2023-11-13 . www.marinespecies.org.
  2. Web site: NZ Mollusca - Spongiobranchaea australis . 2023-11-13 . www.mollusca.co.nz.
  3. Web site: Spongiobranchaea australis d'Orbigny, 1836 . 2023-11-13 . www.gbif.org . en.
  4. Web site: Spongiobranchaea australis d'Orbigny, 1834 .