Goniobranchus tasmaniensis

Goniobranchus tasmaniensis is a species of colourful sea slug, a dorid nudibranch, a marine gastropod mollusc in the family Chromodorididae.[2][3]

Goniobranchus tasmaniensis
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Mollusca
Class: Gastropoda
Subclass: Heterobranchia
Order: Nudibranchia
Suborder: Doridina
Superfamily: Doridoidea
Family: Chromodorididae
Genus: Goniobranchus
Species:
G. tasmaniensis
Binomial name
Goniobranchus tasmaniensis
(Bergh, 1905)[1]
Synonyms
  • Chromodoris tasmaniensis Bergh, 1905 (basionym)
  • Glossodoris tasmaniensis (Bergh, 1905)

Distribution

This species was described from Tasmania, Australia. It is one of a group of similar red-spotted chromodorids from south-eastern Australia which form a mimicry ring.[4][5]

Description

Goniobranchus tasmaniensis is a chromodorid nudibranch which has a translucent white mantle with scattered orange or red spots. The edge of the mantle is opaque white and somewhat swollen and ruffled in resting animals.[6] Compare with Goniobranchus splendidus, Goniobranchus hunterae and Goniobranchus daphne which all have similar coloration.[7]

Ecology

This species feeds on the sponge Darwinella gardineri.[6]

References
  1. Bergh R. (1905). Malacologische Untersuchungen. In: Reisen im Archipel der Philippinen von Dr. Carl Gottfried Semper. Zweiter Theil. Wissenschaftliche Resultate, Vol. 9, Chapter 6, Part 2: 57-118, pls. 5-8. page(s): 69, pl. 5 fig. 12-15
  2. Gofas, S. (2015). Goniobranchus tasmaniensis (Bergh, 1905). Accessed through: World Register of Marine Species on 2015-03-26
  3. Johnson R.F. & Gosliner T.M. (2012) Traditional taxonomic groupings mask evolutionary history: A molecular phylogeny and new classification of the chromodorid nudibranchs. PLoS ONE 7(4): e33479
  4. Rudman, W.B. (1991) Purpose in Pattern: the evolution of colour in chromodorid nudibranchs. Journal of Molluscan Studies, 57, (T.E. Thompson Memorial Issue): 5-21.
  5. Rudman W.B. (1983) The Chromodorididae (Opisthobranchia: Mollusca) of the Indo-West Pacific: Chromodoris splendida, C. aspersa and Hypselodoris placida colour groups. Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society 78: 105-173. page(s): 114
  6. Rudman, W.B., 1999 (June 1) Chromodoris tasmaniensis (Bergh, 1905). [In] Sea Slug Forum. Australian Museum, Sydney.
  7. Debelius, H. & Kuiter, R.H. (2007) Nudibranchs of the world. ConchBooks, Frankfurt, 360 pp. ISBN 978-3-939767-06-0 page(s): 156
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