Fiona pinnata
Feather aeolid
Israel · Mediterranean
- Size
- 10–20 mm · max 50 mm
- Depth
- 0–0 m
- Native range
- Cosmopolitan in tropical and temperate oceans worldwide
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Description
A truly pelagic aeolid that drifts on the open ocean with floating objects such as driftwood, goose barnacles and by-the-wind sailors (Velella). Unusually for an aeolid, it lacks cnidosacs and eyes.
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Identification
Cerata in oblique rows, each with a distinctive wing-like membranous fringe along one side. Smooth rhinophores and oral tentacles. Colour depends on diet: pale brown to whitish when eating goose barnacles, with vivid blue digestive gland when eating Velella.
Similar species
The membranous 'wings' on the cerata distinguish it from all other aeolids.
Habitat & diet
Habitat
Open ocean surface, on floating objects; often washed ashore with them.
Food
Mainly goose barnacles (Lepas) and Velella; also Janthina snails and other floating cnidarians.