Aldisa smaragdina is a species of sea slug, a dorid nudibranch, a marine gastropod mollusk in the family Cadlinidae.[2]

Aldisa smaragdina
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Mollusca
Class: Gastropoda
Order: Nudibranchia
Family: Cadlinidae
Genus: Aldisa
Species:
A. smaragdina
Binomial name
Aldisa smaragdina
Ortea, Pérez & Llera, 1982[1]
Synonyms
  • ? Aldisa binotata Pruvot-Fol, 1953

Distribution

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This species was described from the Canary Islands. It has subsequently been reported from the Atlantic coast of Spain and from Portugal.[3]

Description

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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.[3]

Ecology

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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.[3] A progesterone homologue has been isolated from this species.[4]

References

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  1. ^ Ortea, J.A., Pérez, J.M. & Llera, E.M. (1982) Moluscos opistobranquios recolectados durante el plan de bentos circuncanario. Doridacea: primera parte (1). Cuadernos del Crinas, 3: 1-48.
  2. ^ 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
  3. ^ a b c Rudman, W.B., 2002 (November 11) Aldisa smaragdina Ortea, Perez & Llera, 1982. [In] Sea Slug Forum. Australian Museum, Sydney.
  4. ^ 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.