''Aldisa smaragdina'' is a
species
In biology, a species is the basic unit of Taxonomy (biology), classification and a taxonomic rank of an organism, as well as a unit of biodiversity. A species is often defined as the largest group of organisms in which any two individuals of ...
of
sea slug
Sea slug is a common name for some marine invertebrates with varying levels of resemblance to terrestrial slugs. Most creatures known as sea slugs are gastropods, i.e. they are sea snails (marine gastropod mollusks) that over evolutionary ...
, a dorid
nudibranch
Nudibranchs () are a group of soft-bodied marine gastropod molluscs which shed their shells after their larval stage. They are noted for their often extraordinary colours and striking forms, and they have been given colourful nicknames to mat ...
, a
marine
Marine is an adjective meaning of or pertaining to the sea or ocean.
Marine or marines may refer to:
Ocean
* Maritime (disambiguation)
* Marine art
* Marine biology
* Marine debris
* Marine habitats
* Marine life
* Marine pollution
Military
* ...
gastropod mollusk
Mollusca is the second-largest phylum of invertebrate animals after the Arthropoda, the members of which are known as molluscs or mollusks (). Around 85,000 extant species of molluscs are recognized. The number of fossil species is es ...
in the
family
Family (from la, familia) is a group of people related either by consanguinity (by recognized birth) or affinity (by marriage or other relationship). The purpose of the family is to maintain the well-being of its members and of society. Idea ...
Cadlinidae
Cadlinidae is a family of sea slugs, dorid nudibranchs, marine gastropod mollusks in the superfamily Doridoidea.
Molecular phylogenetic studies and their taxon-sampling schemes can have a strong influence of the resulting phylogeny. Research by ...
.
[Bouchet, P. (2011). ''Aldisa smaragdina'' Ortea, Pérez & Llera, 1982. Accessed through: World Register of Marine Species at http://www.marinespecies.org/aphia.php?p=taxdetails&id=585313 on 2012-02-29]
Distribution
This species was described from the
Canary Islands
The Canary Islands (; es, Canarias, ), also known informally as the Canaries, are a Spanish autonomous community and archipelago in the Atlantic Ocean, in Macaronesia. At their closest point to the African mainland, they are west of Mo ...
. It has subsequently been reported from the Atlantic coast of Spain and from Portugal.
[Rudman, W.B., 2002 (November 11]
''Aldisa smaragdina'' Ortea, Perez & Llera, 1982.
n/nowiki> Sea Slug Forum. Australian Museum, Sydney.
Description
This species has raised rounded tubercles covering the
dorsum. There are two round markings on the back which are darker in colour. The animal grows to 30 mm in length.
Ecology
This nudibranch feeds on the
hymedesmiid sponge ''Phorbas fictitius'' ( aka ''Anchinoe fictitius''). The two darker round markings on the back of the animal closely resemble the inhalant pore sieves of ''Phorbas'', providing excellent camouflage.
A progesterone homologue has been isolated from this species.
[Gavagnin, M.; Ungur, N.; Mollo, E.; Templado, J.; Cimino, G. Structure and synthesis of a progesterone homologue from the skin of the dorid nudibranch ''Aldisa smaragdina''. Eur. J. Org. Chem. 2002, 2002, 1500–1504.]
References
{{Taxonbar, from=Q4713849
Cadlinidae
Gastropods described in 1982