Enteroxenos

{{Short description|Genus of gastropods}}

{{Automatic taxobox

| image =

| taxon = Enteroxenos

| authority = Bonnevie, 1902

| synonyms = Enteroxenus

| type_species = Enteroxenos ostergreni

| type_species_authority = Bonnevie, 1902

}}

Enteroxenos is a genus of very small parasitic sea snails, marine gastropod mollusks in the family Eulimidae.Bonnevie, 1902. Gofas, S.; Le Renard, J.; Bouchet, P. (2001). Mollusca, in: Costello, M.J. et al. (Ed.) (2001). European register of marine species: a check-list of the marine species in Europe and a bibliography of guides to their identification. Collection Patrimoines Naturels, 50: pp. 180-213 (look up in IMIS). Accessed through: World Register of Marine Species at http://www.marinespecies.org/aphia.php?p=taxdetails&id=137966 on 2013-01-18.

Description

These small snails have no mouth or gut, and absorb nutrients through their body wall. These odd animals look much more like worms than snails, but the larval form is a veliger, which is characteristic of mollusks.

Species

Species within this genus include the following:

;Species brought into synonymy:

  • Enteroxenos ostergreni (Bonnevie, 1902): synonym of Enteroxenos oestergreni (Bonnevie, 1902)

Reproduction

The female is significantly larger than the male and may grow up to {{convert|15|cm|0|abbr=on}} in length. The females become hosts to the smaller males, which then fertilise their eggs.

References

{{Reflist}}