 diaphanidae is a taxonomic family of small sea snails, marine opisthobranch gastropod molluscs or micromollusks in the superfamily diaphanoidea, the headshield slugs and bubble snails. the little-known species in this family have small, flimsy, almost globular shells, known as paper bubble gastropod shells. ==distribution== species in this family are found in cold seas, such as the arctic region, antarctica, australia, and new zealand. ==habitat== the species occur in the sublitoral to abyssal zones. ==shell description== the shell is minute, thin, fragile, colorless to translucent, and usually less than 5&nbsp;mm in size. the overall shape is ovate, pear-shaped, and bulbous. there is a sunken apex. ==genera== genera within the family diaphanidae include: === subfamily diaphaninae === *genus austrodiaphana pilsbry, 1893 **austrodiaphan brazieri angas, 1877 ***distribution : west australia ***length : 8&nbsp;mm **austrodiaphana colei fleming, 1948 ***distribution : new zealand **austrodiaphana flemingi powell, 1952 ***distribution : new zealand **austrodiaphana maunganuica powell, 1952 ***distribution : new zealand *genus colobocephalus sars m., 1870 **colobocephalus costellatus, sars m., 1870 **colobocephalus striatulus monterosato ex jeffreys, 1874 ***distribution : mediterranean *genus colpodaspis m. sars, 1870 (incertae sedis) the sole of the foot contains a gland that secretes a mucous fluid, which helps the little animal to stay attached to stems and algae. **colpodaspis punctata clark, 1837 ***distribution : mediterranean **colpodaspis pusilla sars, 1870 ***distribution : southern norway, great britain, western ireland ***length : 5&nbsp;mm ***description : the bubble shell is completely enclosed by the mantle; two prominent rhinophores on the head, leading to a groove along each side of the head; right posterior siphon **colpodaspis thompsoni brown, 1979 ***distribution : tropical indo-pacific, okinawa, christmas island ***length : 3&nbsp;mm ***description : black sea slug with yellow warts on a white background; the mantle encloses the bubble-shaped frag
Diaphanidae