Rostanga arbutus

Rostanga arbutus is a species of sea slug, a dorid nudibranch, a marine gastropod mollusc in the family Discodorididae.

Rostanga arbutus
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Mollusca
Class: Gastropoda
Subclass: Heterobranchia
Order: Nudibranchia
Suborder: Doridina
Superfamily: Doridoidea
Family: Discodorididae
Genus: Rostanga
Species:
R. arbutus
Binomial name
Rostanga arbutus
(Angas, 1864)[1]

Distribution

This species was described from New South Wales, Australia. It was thought to be widely distributed, but this was due to confusion with other species. [2]

Description

This dorid nudibranch is bright orange to reddish-orange in colour, and the dorsum is covered with caryophyllidia. It is very similar to other species of Rostanga, but it is distinguished by a series of white markings, the mantle glands, which are just inside the mantle edge.[2][3]

Ecology

This species is found mostly in the intertidal zone on the red sponge, Ophlitaspongia aceratoobtusa (family Microcionidae) on which it presumably feeds.[2] Most other species of Rostanga also feed on sponges of the family Microcionidae.

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References
  1. Angas, G.F. (1864) Description d'espèces nouvelles appartenant à plusieurs genres de Mollusques Nudibranches des environs de Port-Jackson (Nouvelle-Galles du Sud), accompagnée de dessins faits d'après nature. Journal de Conchyliologie, series 3, 12: 43-70.
  2. Rudman, W.B., Avern, G. (1989) The genus Rostanga (Nudibranchia: Dorididae) in the Indo-West Pacific. Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society 96(3): 281-338.
  3. Rudman, W.B., 2002 (February 5) Rostanga arbutus (Angas, 1864). [In] Sea Slug Forum. Australian Museum, Sydney.
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