Anteaeolidiella saldanhensis explained

Anteaeolidiella saldanhensis, is a species of sea slug, an aeolid nudibranch. It is a shell-less marine gastropod mollusc in the family Aeolidiidae.[1]

Distribution

This species is confined to the South African coast from Saldanha Bay to southern KwaZulu Natal. It is found from the intertidal zone to a depth of at least 10 m.[2]

Description

Anteaeolidiella saldanhensis can grow as large as 35 mm in total length. It is a slender-bodied nudibranch with orange markings on its notum. Its rhinophores and oral tentacles are white-tipped. Its cerata are short and fat, and are grey or pink with pale tips.[3] [4]

Ecology

This nudibranch feeds on the striped anemone Anthothoe chilensis. Its egg mass is a simple spiral consisting of three complete whorls.

Notes and References

  1. Carmona . L. . Bhave . V. . Salunkhe . R. . Pola . M. . Gosliner . T. M. . Cervera . J. L. . 2014 . Systematic review of Anteaeolidiella (Mollusca, Nudibranchia, Aeolidiidae) based on morphological and molecular data, with a description of three new species . Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society . 171 . 1. 108–132 . 10.1111/zoj.12129 .
  2. Gosliner, T.M. (1987). Nudibranchs of Southern Africa (as Aeolidiella indica)
  3. ZSILAVECZ, G. 2007. Nudibranchs of the Cape Peninsula and False Bay. (as Aeolidiella indica)
  4. https://www.flickr.com/photos/greawessels/7817031068 Photo of Anteaeolidiella saldanhensis [on] Flickr]