Atagema osseosa is a species of sea slug or dorid nudibranch, a marine gastropod mollusk in the family Discodorididae.[2][4]

Atagema osseosa
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Mollusca
Class: Gastropoda
Order: Nudibranchia
Family: Discodorididae
Genus: Atagema
Species:
A. osseosa
Binomial name
Atagema osseosa
(Kelaart, 1859)
Synonyms
  • Doris osseosa Kelaart, 1859[1][2]
  • Trippa osseosa (Kelaart, 1859)[3]

Distribution

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This species is found in the tropical Indo-West Pacific Ocean,[3][4] with records at least from the coasts of India and eastern Australia.[4]

Description

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This nudibranch has evolved to mimic closely in appearance the sandy-coloured sponge on which it both lives and feeds off.[3]

Ecology

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Like many nudibranchs, this species feeds on sponges.

References

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  1. ^ Kelaart, E. F. (1859). "Descriptions of new and little-known species of Ceylonese nudibranchiate mollusks". Annals and Magazine of Natural History. Series 3. 3 (16): 291–304 [298].
  2. ^ a b Bieler R, Bouchet P, Gofas S, Marshall B, Rosenberg G, La Perna R, Neubauer TA, Sartori AF, Schneider S, Vos C, ter Poorten JJ, Taylor J, Dijkstra H, Finn J, Bank R, Neubert E, Moretzsohn F, Faber M, Houart R, Picton B, Garcia-Alvarez O, eds. (2022). "Atagema osseosa (Kelaart, 1859)". MolluscaBase. World Register of Marine Species. Retrieved 20 February 2022.
  3. ^ a b c Rudman, W.B. (1998–2010). "Atagema osseosa (Kelaart, 1859)". Sea Slug Forum. Australian Museum. Reference given: Kelaart, E.F. (1858). Description of new and little known species of Ceylon nudibranchiate molluscs and zoophytes. Journal of the Ceylon Branch of the Royal Asiatic Society, Columbo, 3(1): 84–139.
  4. ^ a b c "Atagema osseosa (Kelaart, 1859)". Global Biodiversity Information Facility. Retrieved 20 February 2022.