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paper nautilus

cephalopod
Also known as: Argonauta, argonaut

Quick Summary

The paper nautilus (Argonauta) is a type of cephalopod mollusk, related to the octopus. Unlike the pearly nautilus, the female paper nautilus secretes a thin, delicate shell. This shell, which is not chambered, is formed by large flaps on her dorsal arms and is used for laying eggs and protecting the young. The male paper nautilus is significantly smaller than the female and does not produce a shell. Paper nautiluses are typically found near the surface of tropical and subtropical seas, where they feed on plankton. The female paper nautilus exhibits parental care by carrying her eggs in this specialized shell.123

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