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]
| Frilled nudibranch | |
|---|---|
| |
Scientific classification 
| |
| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Mollusca |
| Class: | Gastropoda |
| Order: | Nudibranchia |
| Suborder: | Cladobranchia |
| Family: | Lemindidae |
| Genus: | Leminda |
| Species: | L. millecra
|
| Binomial name | |
| Leminda millecra Graham C. D. Griffiths, 1985[1]
| |
Distribution
editThis 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
edit
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]
Distinguishing features
editThe mantle has a white-edged, relatively thin structure with large, sinuous folds, and an anterior break along the mantle edge between the rhinophores (chemosensory tentacles). It features a prominent oral veil. The rhinophores are pale, smooth, tapering, and do not retract into pockets. The digestive gland divides into fine, branching ducts visible through the translucent body wall. Color varies from pink to brown, depending on the food color present in the digestive gland ducts. [6]
Ecology
edit
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.[7]
References
edit- ^ 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).
- ^ 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
- ^ 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., 2002 (September 29) Leminda millecra Griffiths, 1985. [In] Sea Slug Forum. Australian Museum, Sydney.
- ^ Herbert, D.G., Jones, G.J. & Atkinson, L.J. (2018). Phylum Mollusca. In: Atkinson, L.J. and Sink, K.J. (eds) Field Guide to the Offshore Marine Invertebrates of South Africa. Pretoria: Malachite Marketing and Media. p. 289. doi:10.15493/SAEON.PUB.10000001. ISBN 978-1-86868-098-6. Retrieved 26 October 2024.
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This article incorporates text from this source, which is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license.
- ^ Rudman, W.B., 2007 (Feb 6). Comment on Leminda millecra showing its all! by Charles Rowe. [Message in] Sea Slug Forum. Australian Museum, Sydney.
- Gosliner, T. (2023). Southern African Sea Slugs. Cape Town: Southern Underwater Research Group Press.
