Thuridilla lineolata

Thuridilla lineolata is a species of sea slug, a sacoglossan, a marine gastropod mollusk in the family Plakobranchidae. It is an Indo-Pacific species that lives in or near coral reefs and eats algae.

Thuridilla lineolata
Scientific classification
Kingdom:
Animalia
Phylum:
Mollusca
Class:
Gastropoda
(unranked):
clade Heterobranchia
informal group Opisthobranchia
clade Sacoglossa
clade Plakobranchacea
Superfamily:
Plakobranchoidea
Family:
Plakobranchidae
Genus:
Thuridilla
Species:
T. lineolata
Binomial name
Thuridilla lineolata
(Bergh, 1905)

Distribution and habitat

This species occurs in the tropical West-Pacific, mainly in Indonesia and the Philippines. It lives on the external slope of coral reefs, on top of the reef, and in the lagoon.

Description

This species can be up to 3 cm in size. The body is partially covered by the fold of the lateral parapodia. The mantle is bright blue, and the edges of the parapodia are framed by two lines: a fine black one and an orange one on the external side.

The smooth rhinophores and the oral cavity are also marked with a black line and with an orange band.

Biology

This species is benthic and diurnal. Because of its aposematic coloration, it crawls around to feed in the daylight. Its diet is based on algae.

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References
  • P.L. Beesley, G.J.B. Ross & A. Wells,"Mollusca-The southern synthesis", vol.5,CSIRO,1998,ISBN 0-643-05756-0
  • David Behrens, "Nudibranch behaviour", Newworld Publication INC., 2005, ISBN 978-1878348418
  • Gary Cobb & Richard Willan, "Undersea jewels- a colour guide to nudibranchs", Australian Biological Resources Study, 2006, ISBN 0642568472


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