Pleurobranchaea maculata, or the grey side-gilled slug, is a species of sea slug, specifically a side-gill slug or notaspidean. It is a marine gastropod mollusc in the family Pleurobranchaeidae.[1]
| Pleurobranchaea maculata | |
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| Species: | P. maculata
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| Pleurobranchaea maculata | |
Distribution
editThis species occurs around the North Island and South Island of New Zealand. In 2009 it was reported far outside its native range, on the coast of Argentina from where it spread rapidly, currently encompassing ca. 2,000 km along the southwestern Atlantic coast.[2][3]
Habitat
editThis side-gill slug is found intertidally in harbours and to depths of up to 6 m or deeper off rocky coasts. It is often washed ashore during spring storms.[4]
Description
editThis marine slug is 80 to 100 mm in length, with southern specimens somewhat larger. Its colour is a mottled pale grey, densely patterned with short, brown broken lines. The wedge-shaped head has two sensory tentacles or rhinophores. The mantle is smooth in texture, but covered with folds and puckers, and the foot extends well beyond it. There is no remnant of a shell, and the feathery gill is tucked under the right side of the mantle.[4]
Ecology
editThis slug eats mostly sea anemones but will take marine worms, mussels, dead or dying animals, and other Pleurobrachaea sea slugs.[4] It lives for 2–3 years and dies after spawning in winter.[4]
Toxicity
editIn 2009, a major scare in the Auckland Region of New Zealand was sparked after several dogs died of tetrodotoxin poisoning after eating Pleurobranchaea maculata on beaches.[5] Children and pet owners were asked to avoid beaches, and recreational fishing was also interrupted for a time. After exhaustive analysis, it was found that the sea slugs must have ingested tetrodotoxin.[6]
References
edit- ^ Margaret Morley (2004). A Photographic Guide to Seashells of New Zealand. Illustrator: Iain A Anderson. New Holland Publishers. ISBN 978-1-86966-044-4. OCLC 56646921. Wikidata Q115391200.
- ^ Farias, N. E.; Wood, S. A.; Obenat, S.; Schwindt, E. (2016-07-02). "Genetic barcoding confirms the presence of the neurotoxic sea slug Pleurobranchaea maculata in southwestern Atlantic coast". New Zealand Journal of Zoology. 43 (3): 292–298. doi:10.1080/03014223.2016.1159582. hdl:11336/37172. ISSN 0301-4223. S2CID 89349777.
- ^ Farias, N. E.; Obenat, S.; Goya, A. B. (2015-01-02). "Outbreak of a neurotoxic side-gilled sea slug (Pleurobranchaea sp.) in Argentinian coasts". New Zealand Journal of Zoology. 42 (1): 51–56. doi:10.1080/03014223.2014.990045. hdl:11336/101045. ISSN 0301-4223. S2CID 83477049.
- ^ a b c d Carson, Sally; Morris, Rod (2022). The New Zealand Seashore Guide. Nelson: Potton and Burton. p. 212. ISBN 978-1-98-855042-8.
- ^ McNabb, P.; Mackenzie, L.; Selwood, A.; Rhodes, L.; Taylor, D.; Cornelison, C. (2009). Review of tetrodotoxins in the sea slug Pleurobranchaea maculata and coincidence of dog deaths along Auckland beaches. Prepared by Cawthron Institute for the Auckland Regional Council. Auckland Regional Council Technical Report 2009/ 108.
- ^ Gibson, Eloise (15 August 2009). "Puffer fish toxin blamed for deaths of two dogs". The New Zealand Herald. Retrieved 19 November 2011.
External links
edit
- Pleurobranchaea maculata discussed on RNZ Our Changing World, 30 September 2010
- Pleurobranchaea maculata discussed on RNZ Critter of the Week, 5 July 2024.