User:Gastropoda88/Cavolinia inflexa

Introduction
The Cavolinia inflexa is a member of the thecosome pteropod genus that dwells in the epipelagic zone feeding on arctic snow and smaller microorganisms. While it is known that C. inflexa is a filter feeder, its reproductive tendencies and behaviors are not well studied. It is thought however, that it shares many tendencies with its sister species  in regards to its reproductive tendencies and behaviors, though this needs confirmation."

Morphology and Physiology
Cavolinia inflexa is a common thecosome pteropod found worldwide in warm waters, holding temperatures between 55° N to 45° S. Like other thecosome pteropods, Cavolinia inflexa form an aggronite shell to surround their body This gives them the property to be highly sensitive to ocean acidification as a result of the constantly changing water column’s chemical composition12. Cavolinia inflexa is found to be between 2-8 millimeters in length, and has a length to width ratio between 0.51 and 0.81. Additionally they have a straight shell, with a bilaterally symmetrical  structure, with their posterior tip bent upwards11.

Behavior
The Cavolinia inflexa tends to change the ocean depth that it inhabits in response to where the largest concentration of food source is, as it reacts to the vertical migration patterns expressed by zooplankton 13. However, they are mostly found roaming the epipelagic zone of the ocean. Their vertical migration is also in response to a diurnal cycle.1 They feed by ingesting their captured prey that has been snared by their mucus feedings webs. After 1-3 minutes they can completely digest and consume their snared prey11.

Life Cycle and Reproduction
Information on the reproduction of Cavolinia inflexa is scant, but there has been research conducted on the reproduction of similar pteropod species. The pteropod ''Limacina retroversa has a reproductive cycle occurring twice a year. The first occurring at the start of spring and the second nearing the end of summer. In order to survive and reproduce, the two distinct generations employ different life history strategies. Offspring born during the spring reproductive cycle develop more rapidly so they can mature in time for the summer mating season while offspring born during the summer withstand the physiological challenges of the cold winter to then reproduce the following spring. It takes at least 3 months of development for Limacina retroversa to produce viable egg clutches.''

Ecology and Distribution
Cavolinia inflexa, like other pteropods, are filter feeders. Their diet consists of marine snow which is organic matter that floats in the water column.

Cavolinia inflexa initially was believed to be multiple subspecies, but later studies show that the species does not exhibit enough regional variation to have categorical subspecies. Cavolinia inflexa lives in the Atlantic, Indian, and Pacific Oceans, but there is not significant geographical variation.

Climate change may pose a threat to Cavolinia inflexa as ocean acidification has been shown to impact larval development. In particular, ocean acidification prevents the formation of its shell, leaving the organism vulnerable to predation. One study found a significant decrease in shell density among Cavolinia inflexa between 1910 and 2012.