Nembrotha kubaryana, also known as the variable neon slug, is a species

Species

In biology, a species is one of the basic units of biological classification and a taxonomic rank. A species is often defined as a group of organisms capable of interbreeding and producing fertile offspring. While in many cases this definition is adequate, more precise or differing measures are...

 of colorful sea slug

Slug

Slug is a common name that is normally applied to any gastropod mollusc that lacks a shell, has a very reduced shell, or has a small internal shell...

, a dorid nudibranch

Nudibranch

A nudibranch is a member of what is now a taxonomic clade, and what was previously a suborder, of soft-bodied, marine gastropod mollusks which shed their shell after their larval stage. They are noted for their often extraordinary colors and striking forms...

, a marine

Marine (ocean)

Marine is an umbrella term. As an adjective it is usually applicable to things relating to the sea or ocean, such as marine biology, marine ecology and marine geology...

 gastropod mollusk in the family Polyceridae

Polyceridae

Polyceridae is a taxonomic family of sea slugs, dorid nudibranchs, marine gastropod mollusks within the Superfamily Polyceroidea.- Taxonomy :...

. Its synonyms include Nembrotha nigerrima.

Description

This animal can reach a total length of more than 120 mm. It is a large dark-bodied nudibranch which may have green stripes running down the length of the body or have green raised spots. The margin of the foot and head is a vivid red-orange. The rhinophore

Rhinophore

A rhinophore is one of a pair of club-shaped structures which are the most prominent part of the external head anatomy of a group of sea slugs, marine gastropod opisthobranch mollusks in the order Nudibranchia, the nudibranchs, specifically the dorid nudibranchs.- Etymology :The name relates to the...

s and gills may be red or green.
Nembrotha kubaryana is easily confused with a similar species, Nembrotha cristata

Nembrotha cristata

Nembrotha cristata is a species of colorful sea slug, a dorid nudibranch, a marine gastropod mollusk in the family Polyceridae.- External links :* SeaSlug info at * Another version of the taxonomy at: *...

although the latter has no red orange border on its foot.

Ecology

The variable neon slug feeds on ascidians and has been observed feeding on the green-ringed ascidian, Sigillina signifera.

Chemical defences

Nembrotha kubaryana uses the toxins in its prey ascidians to defend itself against predators. It stores the ascidian's toxins in its tissues and then releases them in a slimy defensive mucus when alarmed.

External links

• Nembrotha kubaryana page at nudipixel