Yellow-tipped nudibranch
Encyclopedia
The yellow-tipped nudibranch, Caloria sp. 2, as designated by Gosliner, 1987, is a species
of sea slug
, specifically an aeolid
nudibranch
. They are marine
gastropod molluscs in the family
Facelinidae
.
in 10-30 m of water. As at November 2009, it remained undescribed
by science.
with yellow tips. Its head bears perfoliate orange rhinophores and a pair of oral tentacles which have an orange band in their midsection.
s. In common with other aeolid nudibranchs, the cerata of black-dot nudibranch aid in respiration but also contain extensions of the digestive system. The nudibranch eats the hydroid and passes its nematocyst
s unharmed through its digestive system to the tips of its cerata. Here the nematocysts mature and are then used by the nudibranch for its own defence. It is probable that the bright colours of the black-dot nudibranch serve to advertise to predators that it is toxic.
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 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...
, specifically an aeolid
Aeolidioidea
Aeolidioidea is a superfamily of small sea slugs, the aeolid nudibranchs. They are gastropod mollusks.-2005 taxonomy :The superfamily Aeolidioidea consists of the following four families :* Aeolidiidae Gray, 1827* Facelinidae Bergh, 1889* Glaucidae Gray, 1827* Piseinotecidae Edmunds, 1970Synonyms...
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...
. They are 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 molluscs in the family
Family (biology)
In biological classification, family is* a taxonomic rank. Other well-known ranks are life, domain, kingdom, phylum, class, order, genus, and species, with family fitting between order and genus. As for the other well-known ranks, there is the option of an immediately lower rank, indicated by the...
Facelinidae
Facelinidae
Facelinidae is a taxonomic family of colorful sea slugs. These are specifically aeolid nudibranchs. They are marine gastropod molluscs.- 2005 taxonomy :...
.
Distribution
This species is endemic to the South African coast and is found only on the Atlantic coast of the Cape PeninsulaCape Peninsula
The Cape Peninsula is a generally rocky peninsula that juts out for 75 km into the Atlantic Ocean at the south-western extremity of the African continent. At the southern end of the peninsula are Cape Point and the Cape of Good Hope...
in 10-30 m of water. As at November 2009, it remained undescribed
Undescribed taxon
In taxonomy, an undescribed taxon is a taxon that has been discovered, but not yet formally described and named. The various Nomenclature Codes specify the requirements for a new taxon to be validly described and named. Until such a description has been published, the taxon has no formal or...
by science.
Description
The yellow-tipped nudibranch grows to 30 mm in total length. It is a slender pale-bodied aeolid with numerous lavender cerataCerata
Cerata are anatomical structures found in nudibranch sea slugs, marine opisthobranch gastropod mollusks.They are dorsal and lateral outgrowths on the upper surfaces of the body....
with yellow tips. Its head bears perfoliate orange rhinophores and a pair of oral tentacles which have an orange band in their midsection.
Ecology
This aeolid feeds on hydroidHydroid
-Marine biology:Hydroids are a life stage for most animals of class Hydrozoa, small predators related to jellyfish.-Botany:In mosses, hydroids form the innermost layer of the stem of long, colourless, thin walled cells of small diameter.The cells are dead and lack protoplasm.They function as water...
s. In common with other aeolid nudibranchs, the cerata of black-dot nudibranch aid in respiration but also contain extensions of the digestive system. The nudibranch eats the hydroid and passes its nematocyst
Cnidocyte
A cnidocyte, cnidoblast, or nematocyte is a type of venomous cell unique to the phylum Cnidaria . The cnidocyte cell provides a means for them to catch prey and defend themselves from predators. Despite being morphologically simple, lacking a skeleton and usually being sessile, cnidarians prey on...
s unharmed through its digestive system to the tips of its cerata. Here the nematocysts mature and are then used by the nudibranch for its own defence. It is probable that the bright colours of the black-dot nudibranch serve to advertise to predators that it is toxic.