Leminda millecra

Frilled nudibranch
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Mollusca
Class: Gastropoda
Subclass: Heterobranchia

clade Euthyneura
clade Nudipleura
clade Nudibranchia
clade Dexiarchia
clade Cladobranchia

Superfamily: Metarminoidea
Family: Charcotiidae
Genus: Leminda
Species: L. millecra
Binomial name
Leminda millecra
Griffiths, 1985[1]

The frilled nudibranch, Leminda millecra, is a species of metarminid nudibranch, and is only found in South Africa. It is a marine gastropod mollusc in the family Charcotiidae.[2]

Distribution

This species is endemic to the South African coast and is found from the Atlantic coast of the Cape Peninsula to Port Elizabeth in 10–40 m. Deep water specimens have been trawled off the KwaZulu-Natal coast.[3]

Description

The rhinophores of the frilled nudibranch

The frilled nudibranch is a large (up to 90 mm) smooth-bodied nudibranch with a frilled appearance. Margins of the body have a bright bluish edge, and the body may have pink or brown pigmentation. The rhinophores are elongated and smooth, and emerge from a scrolled sheath.[4] Branches of the digestive gland fill the frilled edge of the mantle.[5]

Ecology

The egg ribbon of the frilled nudibranch

The egg mass of Leminda millecra consists of fat white convoluted curls with large eggs distinctly visible. It is reported to feed on the soft coral Alcyonium fauri.[6]

References

  1. ↑ Griffiths R.J. (1985). "Description of a new South African Arminacean and the proposed re-instatement of the genus Atthila Bergh (Mollusca, Opisthobranchia)". Ann. S. Afr. Mus. 95(7).
  2. ↑ Bouchet, P. (2014). Leminda millecra Griffiths, 1985. Accessed through: World Register of Marine Species at http://www.marinespecies.org/aphia.php?p=taxdetails&id=570836 on 2015-02-15
  3. ↑ Gosliner T. M. (1987). Nudibranchs of Southern Africa ISBN 0-930118-13-8
  4. ↑ Zsilavecz G. (2007). Nudibranchs of the Cape Peninsula and False Bay. ISBN 0-620-38054-3
  5. ↑ Rudman, W.B., 2002 (September 29) Leminda millecra Griffiths, 1985. [In] Sea Slug Forum. Australian Museum, Sydney.
  6. ↑ Rudman, W.B., 2007 (Feb 6). Comment on Leminda millecra showing its all! by Charles Rowe. [Message in] Sea Slug Forum. Australian Museum, Sydney.
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