Tyrannodoris tigris explained

Tyrannodoris tigris is a species of sea slug, a polycerid nudibranch, a marine gastropod mollusc in the family Polyceridae.^[1] It is a known predator of Tambje eliora and Tambje abdere, two species of smaller nudibranchs. The chemical extracts of all three species contain tambjamines, which were traced to Sessibugula translucens, a food source of these species. It is hypothesized that tambjamines are a chemical defence mechanism against feeding by the spotted kelpfish Gibbonsia elegans.^{[2] [3]}

Distribution

This species is found in the Gulf of California to Bahia de Banderas.^[4]

Notes and References

1. MolluscaBase (2018). Tyrannodoris tigris (Farmer, 1978). Accessed through: World Register of Marine Species on 2018-08-20.
2. 10.1021/jo00162a003. Defensive metabolites from three nembrothid nudibranchs. The Journal of Organic Chemistry. 48. 14. 2314. 1983. Carté . B. . Faulkner . D. J. .
3. 10.1007/BF01012111 . Role of secondary metabolites in feeding associations between a predatory nudibranch, two grazing nudibranchs, and a bryozoan . 1986 . Carté . Brad . Faulkner . D. John . Journal of Chemical Ecology . 12 . 3 . 795–804 . 24306917 . 20245013 .
4. Rudman, W.B., 2000 (December 28) Roboastra tigris Farmer, 1978. [In] Sea Slug Forum. Australian Museum, Sydney.

   References

5. Hermosillo, A., 2007 (Jul 26) Roboastra leonis - Feeding behaviour. [Message in] Sea Slug Forum. Australian Museum, Sydney.

   Description

   Tyrannodoris tigris can grow as large as 30 cm in length. Like other nudibranchs in the genus Tyrannodoris, it is carnivorous and predatory, feeding on other sea slugs.^[4]