Okenia amoenula

The fiery nudibranch, Okenia amoenula, is a species of colourful sea slug, specifically a dorid nudibranch, a marine gastropod mollusc in the family Goniodorididae.[1]

Fiery nudibranch
Okenia amoenula
Scientific classification
Kingdom:
Animalia
Phylum:
Mollusca
Class:
Gastropoda
(unranked):
clade Heterobranchia
clade Euthyneura
clade Nudipleura
clade Nudibranchia
clade Euctenidiacea
clade Doridacea
Superfamily:
Onchidoridoidea
Family:
Goniodorididae
Genus:
Okenia
Species:
O. amoenula
Binomial name
Okenia amoenula
(Bergh, 1907)

Distribution

This species is endemic to the South African coast and is found from the Atlantic coast of the Cape Peninsula to Port Elizabeth intertidally to at least 30 m.[2][3] It has also been reported from Angola.[4]

Description

The fiery nudibranch is a small (up to 20 mm) smooth-bodied nudibranch which is often overlooked until its egg ribbons are seen. It is then often noticed in groups. It has a pale body streaked with orange and a margin characterised by yellow-orange tipped fingerlike projections which resemble flames. The rhinophores are white and the gills are orange-striped.[5]

Ecology

The fiery nudibranch is often found on bryozoans. Its egg mass is a sprawling white curl of several turns.

  • Two fiery nudibranchs with their egg ribbons
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References
  1. Rosenberg, G. (2015). Okenia amoenula (Bergh, 1907). In: MolluscaBase (2015). Accessed through: World Register of Marine Species on 2015-10-16
  2. Gosliner, T.M. 1987. Nudibranchs of Southern Africa ISBN 0-930118-13-8
  3. Rudman, W.B., 2002 (January 3) Okenia amoenula (Bergh, 1907). [In] Sea Slug Forum. Australian Museum, Sydney.
  4. Vallès Y., Valdés Á. & Ortea J. (2000). On the phanerobranch dorids of Angola (Mollusca, Nudibranchia): a crossroads of temperate and tropical species. Zoosystema. 22(1): 15-31.
  5. Zsilavecz, G. 2007. Nudibranchs of the Cape Peninsula and False Bay. ISBN 0-620-38054-3
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