Scott & Jeanette Johnson, Kwajalein Unterwater
Info
Ascobulla Ev. Marcus, 1972
Ascobulla is a genus of sea snails in the family Volvatellidae, colloquially known as bladder snails. The name “bubble shells” comes from the shape of the head shield and the large outer shell. There are three single-shelled Sacoglossa genera: Cylindrobulla, Ascobulla and Volvatella. They are the most primitive living members of the snail order Sacoglossa. There has often been great confusion in the exact classification of these.
Ascobulla appears to have a global distribution in tropical and subtropical waters. Caribbean (Caribbean coasts of Mexico in mangrove habitats), Mediterranean. One species within the genus Ascobulla that is the focus of research is Ascobulla fragilis. This bladder snail inhabits the warmer areas of the Mediterranean. They are also found in the waters near the Cape of Good Hope in South Africa.
Ascobulla has a cylindrical, often somewhat pear-shaped shell with a concave tip and a protoconch (the embryonic/larval shell) exposed in the middle. The shell itself is quite thin and slightly calcified. Ascobulla has a head shield, a hard outer shell and a single-row radula with dagger-shaped teeth. The eyes of Ascobulla are located laterally below the head lobes.
Ascobulla species suckle feed on species of green algae of the genus Caulerpa. Ascobulla is protected by Caulerpa species and is able to reduce the toxicity posed by these algae to protect itself.
Ascobulla are hermaphrodite organisms, meaning they contain both male and female reproductive organs. Ascobulla has a reversible penis stylet that is located on the right side.
Ascobulla is a genus of sea snails in the family Volvatellidae, colloquially known as bladder snails. The name “bubble shells” comes from the shape of the head shield and the large outer shell. There are three single-shelled Sacoglossa genera: Cylindrobulla, Ascobulla and Volvatella. They are the most primitive living members of the snail order Sacoglossa. There has often been great confusion in the exact classification of these.
Ascobulla appears to have a global distribution in tropical and subtropical waters. Caribbean (Caribbean coasts of Mexico in mangrove habitats), Mediterranean. One species within the genus Ascobulla that is the focus of research is Ascobulla fragilis. This bladder snail inhabits the warmer areas of the Mediterranean. They are also found in the waters near the Cape of Good Hope in South Africa.
Ascobulla has a cylindrical, often somewhat pear-shaped shell with a concave tip and a protoconch (the embryonic/larval shell) exposed in the middle. The shell itself is quite thin and slightly calcified. Ascobulla has a head shield, a hard outer shell and a single-row radula with dagger-shaped teeth. The eyes of Ascobulla are located laterally below the head lobes.
Ascobulla species suckle feed on species of green algae of the genus Caulerpa. Ascobulla is protected by Caulerpa species and is able to reduce the toxicity posed by these algae to protect itself.
Ascobulla are hermaphrodite organisms, meaning they contain both male and female reproductive organs. Ascobulla has a reversible penis stylet that is located on the right side.
