Trapania reticulata explained

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

Distribution

This species was described from the Great Barrier Reef. It has also been reported from the Andaman Sea and Milne Bay, Papua New Guinea which suggests a wide distribution in the central Indo-Pacific region. It has also been photographed in Bali, Indonesia.^[2]

Description

This goniodorid nudibranch is translucent yellow with a reticulate pattern of brown pigment on the body, rhinophores, gills, oral tentacles and lateral papillae. The lateral papillae and the rhinophore clubs are unusually large in this species.^[3]

Notes and References

1. Bouchet, P. (2015). Trapania reticulata. In: MolluscaBase (2015). Accessed through: World Register of Marine Species on 2015-10-20
2. https://www.flickr.com/photos/connie8d/5230777177/in/set-72157607086569173 Connie Chen, Scuba Seraya, Bali.
3. https://www.flickr.com/photos/8723238@N07/11355538696/in/photostream/ Alicia, Milne Bay, Papua New Guinea on flickr
4. Rudman, W.B., 2000 (May 21) Trapania reticulata Rudman, 1987. [In] Sea Slug Forum. Australian Museum, Sydney.

   Ecology

   Trapania reticulata feeds on Entoprocta which often grow on sponges and other living substrata.^[3]

   References