ORDER
Cavibelonia
TAXONOMY
Helicoradomenia juani Scheltema and Kuzirian, 1991, Endeavour Segment, Juan de Fuca Ridge, 47°57′N, 129°04′W, at a depth of 7,382 ft (2,250 m).
OTHER COMMON NAMES
None known.
PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS
The body shape is somewhat elongated, with a fuzzy appearance. The organism may grow as long as 0.2 in (5 mm). It is narrowest toward its front end, with a sensory pit on the upper surface; its spicules are widest at the base and point backward, varying in shape from short, wide, and recurved, to long, slender and curved. There are two spicules in the pocket of each copulatory spicule. The mouth lies at the closer end of the vestibule; the pedal pit is large and often protrudes. The cuticle is thin. H. juani has a large radula that makes a single turn into its ventral pockets. The radula has 34–35 rows of teeth with five or six denticles (small toothlike projections).
DISTRIBUTION
Explorer, Juan de Fuca, and Gorda Ridges, at a depth of 5,906–10,732 ft (1,800–3,271 m).
HABITAT
BEHAVIOR
Nothing is known.
FEEDING ECOLOGY AND DIET
Helicoradomenia juani differs from most neomenioids in that it does not eat cnidarians; it feeds instead on organic matter.
REPRODUCTIVE BIOLOGY
Adult individuals of H. juani are hermaphrodites.
CONSERVATION STATUS
Not listed by the IUCN.
SIGNIFICANCE TO HUMANS
Scientific research.
