Respiration

The gill is housed within the mantle cavity, and plays an important role in oxygen exchange (Ruppert et. al, 2004). A portion of this mantle elongates and roles to form the siphon (Ruppert et. al, 2004). The development of the siphon allows L. vitellus to have some selectivity in choosing the source of respiratory water, and allows it to test the water before crawling into it (Ruppert et. al, 2004). The siphon also acts as a sense organ, assisting them by picking up chemical trails (Ruppert et. al, 2004).

 
The siphon of L. vitellus. Image by Chelsea Waters


A closer inspection of L. vitellus siphon and associated papillae. Image by Chelsea Waters