Trapania maculata explained

Trapania maculata is a species of sea slug, a dorid nudibranch, a marine gastropod mollusc in the family Goniodorididae.^[1]

Distribution

This species was first described from Villefranche-sur-Mer in the Mediterranean Sea. It is found from the Aegean Sea coast of Turkey to the Straits of Gibraltar. It has subsequently been reported from Atlantic coasts as far north as SW England and Wales, United Kingdom.^[2]

Notes and References

1. Gofas, S. (2015). Trapania maculata. In: MolluscaBase (2015). Accessed through: World Register of Marine Species on 2015-10-20
2. L. Sánchez-Tocino and J. L. Cervera. 2006. Primeros datos sobre la dieta de Trapania maculata Haefelfinger, 1960 y T. hispalensis Cervera y García-Gómez, 1989 (Mollusca: Nudibranchia). Zoologia Baetica, 17: 85-89.
3. Rudman, W.B., 2001 (February 10) Trapania maculata Haefelfinger, 1960. [In] Sea Slug Forum. Australian Museum, Sydney.

   Ecology

   Trapania maculata feeds on Entoprocta of the genus Loxosomella which often grow on the sponges Dysidea and Sarcotragus.^[2]

   References

4. Picton, B.E. & Morrow, C.C. (2015). Trapania maculata Haefelfinger, 1960. [In] Encyclopedia of Marine Life of Britain and Ireland. Accessed on 2015-10-20

   Description

   This goniodorid nudibranch is translucent white in colour, with yellow markings. The rhinophores, gills and processes are covered with yellow pigment and there is a triangular patch of yellow in the middle of the back. There is a broad yellow stripe along the tail, from behind the gills to the tip. In Mediterranean specimens there is more yellow, with patches on the head and sides of the body.^[2]