Kaloplocamus ramosus explained
Kaloplocamus ramosus, the tasselled nudibranch, is a species of sea slug, a dorid nudibranch, and a marine gastropod mollusc in the family Polyceridae.
Distribution
This species was described from the Mediterranean Sea.[1] It has subsequently been reported from south-eastern Australia and Japan, Hong Kong and Korea. It is also found off the South African coast, where it occurs from Hout Bay on the Cape Peninsula to the Wild Coast. It lives at depths from 25–400 m.[2]
Description
The length of the species attains 100 mm.
The tasselled nudibranch is very well-camouflaged; it usually cannot be noticed underwater without using a torch. The body is pale with variable amounts of reddish-pink pigmentation and is covered with raised white spots. Numerous branched projections on the notum aid in camouflage, and may be extended or retracted. This nudibranch has large perfoliate rhinophores, which are usually pinkish in color. The gills are spotted with red pigmentation.[3]
Distinguishing features
The body is a distinct orange color with brighter orange speckles and may feature scattered, raised white spots. It has a soft texture with numerous branched lateral projections, which become more prominent when viewed underwater.[4]
The body is pale orange with brighter orange speckles and scattered raised white spots.
References
- Odhner . N.H. . Beitrage zur Malakozoologie der Kanarischen Inseln. Lamellibranchien, Cephalopoden, Gastropoden. . Arkiv för Zoologi . 1932 . 23 A . 14 . 41–42.
- Cattaneo-Vietti R. & Sordi M. . On a new species of the family Triophidae (Gastropoda: Nudibranchia) from the Mediterranean Sea . Basteria . 1988 . 52 . 49–59.
- Book: Spencer, H.G., Marshall, B.A. & Willan, R.C. . Checklist of New Zealand living Mollusca. Pp 196-219. in: Gordon, D.P. (ed.) New Zealand inventory of biodiversity. Volume one. Kingdom Animalia: Radiata, Lophotrochozoa, Deuterostomia . 2009 . Canterbury University Press . Christchurch.
- Book: Gosliner . T. . Nudibranchs of Southern Africa: A Guide to Opisthobranch Molluscs of Southern Africa . 1987 . Sea Challengers . Monterey, California . 98.
- Vanhaelen A., Massin C., Martin J. & Laffargue P. . Kaloplocamus ramosus (Cantraine, 1835) (Gastropoda: Polyceridae): new records in the Bay of Biscay, with notes on distribution and food . Iberus . 2014 . 32 . 1 . 53–64.
External links
Notes and References
- Cantraine, F. 1835. Les diagnoses ou descriptions succintes de quelques espèces nouvelles de mollusques. - Bulletins de l'Académie Royale des Sciences et Belles-Lettres de Bruxelles (1) 2 (11): 380-401
- ZSILAVECZ, G. 2007. Nudibranchs of the Cape Peninsula and False Bay.
- GOSLINER, T.M. 1987. Nudibranchs of Southern Africa
- Book: Herbert, D.G., Jones, G.J. & Atkinson, L.J. . Phylum Mollusca. In: Atkinson, L.J. and Sink, K.J. (eds) Field Guide to the Offshore Marine Invertebrates of South Africa . 2018 . Malachite Marketing and Media . Pretoria . 289 . 10.15493/SAEON.PUB.10000001 . 978-1-86868-098-6. 26 October 2024.
- Vallès Y.; Gosliner T.M. (. Shedding light onto the genera (Mollusca: Nudibranchia) Kaloplocamus and Plocamopherus with description of new species belonging to these unique bioluminescent dorids . The Veliger . 2006 . 48 . 3 . 178–205 .
