Allied cowrie (family Cypraeidae,centre) on a sea whip. This gastropod mollusc is usually found with its brightly-coloured mantle (the skin that forms its dorsal surface) covering its shell,as here. When it is disturbed,the mantle is withdrawn into the shell. Cowries feed on small animals such as soft corals and sea whips,mainly at night. A sea whip is a gorgonian,a coral-like organism that uses its tentacles (not seen) to obtain food from the water. Photographed off Sipadan,Malaysia | |
Licence : | Droits gérés |
Crédit: | Science Photo Library / Oldfield, Matthew |
Taille de l’image : | 3095 px × 4550 px |
Model Release : | Non requis |
Property Release : | Non requis |
Restrictions : | - |