Three-spot nudibranch
The three-spot nudibranch, scientific name Aldisa trimaculata, is a species of sea slug, a dorid nudibranch, a marine gastropod mollusc in the family Cadlinidae.
| Three-spot nudibranch | |
|---|---|
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Scientific classification  | |
| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Mollusca |
| Class: | Gastropoda |
| Subclass: | Heterobranchia |
| Order: | Nudibranchia |
| Suborder: | Doridina |
| Superfamily: | Doridoidea |
| Family: | Cadlinidae |
| Genus: | Aldisa |
| Species: | A. trimaculata |
| Binomial name | |
| Aldisa trimaculata Gosliner in Millen & Gosliner, 1985[1] | |
Distribution
This demersal species has so far only been found around the southern African coast, on both sides of the Cape Peninsula, in 10–30 m of water. It may possibly be endemic to that area.[2]
Two of the dotted spots of the three-spot nudibranch
Description
The three-spot nudibranch is a tan-coloured dorid with a warty skin and three brown spots, which are themselves spotted with lighter patches. The animal has eight gills arranged around the anus and its rhinophores are perfoliate. It may reach a total length of 40 mm.[3][4]
Ecology
This species feeds on sponges.
References
- Millen, S. V.; Gosliner, T. M. (1985). Four new species of dorid nudibranchs belonging to the genus Aldisa (Mollusca: Opisthobranchia), with a revision of the genus. Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society. 84: 195-233.
- Gosliner, T.M. 1987. Nudibranchs of Southern Africa ISBN 0-930118-13-8
- Zsilavecz, G. 2007. Nudibranchs of the Cape Peninsula and False Bay. ISBN 0-620-38054-3
- Rudman, W.B., 2001 (August 1) Aldisa trimaculata Gosliner in Millen & Gosliner, 1985. [In] Sea Slug Forum. Australian Museum, Sydney.
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