Rostanga calumus
Rostanga calumus is a species of sea slug, a dorid nudibranch, a marine gastropod mollusc in the family Discodorididae.
| Rostanga calumus | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Rostanga calumus - Rudman & Avern, 1989. Western Australia | |
Scientific classification  | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Mollusca |
| Class: | Gastropoda |
| Subclass: | Heterobranchia |
| Order: | Nudibranchia |
| Suborder: | Doridina |
| Superfamily: | Doridoidea |
| Family: | Discodorididae |
| Genus: | Rostanga |
| Species: | R. calumus |
| Binomial name | |
| Rostanga calumus Rudman & Avern, 1989[1] | |
Distribution
This species was described from Tasmania. It has subsequently been reported from New South Wales and western Australia.[2]
Description
This nudbranch is red, and the dorsum is covered with caryophyllidia. There are regularly distributed, rounded brown patches all over the back, and scattered white specks at the edge of the mantle. The rhinophore club is edged with white pigment.[1]
Ecology
One specimen from Western Australia was found on a colony of the orange sponge, Clathria cf. partita (family Microcionidae) on which it presumably feeds.[1] Most other species of Rostanga also feed on sponges of the family Microcionidae.
References
- Rudman, W.B. & Avern, G.J. (1989) The genus Rostanga Bergh, 1879 (Nudibranchia:Dorididae) in the Indo-West Pacific. Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society 96: 281-338.
- Rudman, W.B., 2002 (February 4) Rostanga calumus Rudman & Avern, 1989. [In] Sea Slug Forum. Australian Museum, Sydney.
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