Bulla ampulla (Bubble Snail)
Bulla is a genus of gastropod molluscs, the only member of the family Bullidae which is the only member of the superfamily Bulloidea. The genus consists of herbivorous marine snails belonging to the headshield slugs of the suborder Cephalaspidea and the order Opisthobranchia.
They have large, ovate external shells that offer enough cover to accommodate the whole snail when retracting. All species have rather similar shaped shells. The shells have a deep, narrow umbilicus at the apex. There is no operculum. They have a soft radula.
Photo: Robert Whyte
Bulla ampulla (Bubble Snail)
The snails are nocturnal and can be found on shallow, sandy coasts grazing among sea grasses, feeding primarily on green algae, burying themselves in mud when the tide is out. Because of their nocturnal habits, they are hard to find. This family seems to have evolved separately in an early stage of the evolutionary history of the opisthobranchs. (WIKIPEDIA)
All species of Bulla have very similarly shaped shells and there is some confusion with their taxonomy. A difficult group to work on. Bulla ampulla can appear very similar to Bulla vernicosa.
Photo: Robert Whyte
