Melibe rosea, the cowled nudibranch, is a species of sea slug, a dendronotid nudibranch, a marine gastropod mollusc in the family Tethydidae.
| Melibe rosea | |
|---|---|
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Scientific classification 
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| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Mollusca |
| Class: | Gastropoda |
| Order: | Nudibranchia |
| Suborder: | Cladobranchia |
| Family: | Tethydidae |
| Genus: | Melibe |
| Species: | M. rosea
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| Binomial name | |
| Melibe rosea Rang, 1829
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This species is only found in South Africa.
Distribution
editThis species is endemic to the South African coast and is found from Port Nolloth to Port Alfred, usually intertidally, but occasionally to 10 m.[1]
Description
editThe cowled nudibranch is a white to pinky-red nudibranch distinguished by its large extendable hood. Knobbly paired cerata extend down the margins of the smooth notum. The notum and cerata may have opaque white encrustations. It can grow as large as 50 mm in total length.[2]
Ecology
editThe cowled nudibranch feeds on small crustaceans, capturing them with its oral hood.
References
edit- ^ 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