FAMILY : RECLUZIIDAE
Recluzia sp

This species spends its entire life cycle (holeopelagic) at the oceans surface, attached by the foot to a raft of mucus covered bubbles.
It is carnivorous, preying on pelagic Cnidarians such as Velella velella and floating anemones. Less is known about this genus than
is about the related Janthinidae. Several species are named but some authors believe there is only one species of Recluzia worldwide
and that is Recluzia rollandiana. There are also synonyms listed so I am unsure as to the proper identity of these images. Recluzia spp
are rarely seen alive and images of living animals are even rarer. All the shells shown here are beached shells from Hastings Point.

Note the smaller animal between the bubble raft and the larger animal

Recluzia hargravesi Cox, 1870?

Recluzia rollandiana Petit, 1853?

© All images Copyright 2010 Denis Riek. All rights reserved.