Okenia aspersa
Okenia aspersa is a species of sea slug, a Dorid nudibranch, a marine gastropod mollusc in the family Goniodorididae.[2]
Okenia aspersa | |
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Okenia aspersa (Firth of Lorn, Scotland) | |
Scientific classification ![]() | |
Domain: | Eukaryota |
Kingdom: | Animalia |
Phylum: | Mollusca |
Class: | Gastropoda |
Subclass: | Heterobranchia |
Order: | Nudibranchia |
Suborder: | Doridina |
Superfamily: | Onchidoridoidea |
Family: | Goniodorididae |
Genus: | Okenia |
Species: | O. aspersa |
Binomial name | |
Okenia aspersa | |
Synonyms | |
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Distribution
This species was first described from Cullercoats, North Sea. It has subsequently been reported widely in Britain and Ireland and north to Norway and south to Arcachon Bay, France.[3]
![](../I/AlderHancockFam1Plate26.jpg.webp)
Okenia aspersa illustration accompanying the original description in A monograph of the British nudibranchiate Mollusca
Description
This goniodorid nudibranch is translucent white in colour, with spots and blotches of red-brown and cream It shows marbling over the body, on the pallial tentacles, rhinophores and gills.[4]
Ecology
Okenia aspersa feeds on the tunicate Molgula occulta, family Molgulidae which lives buried in muddy sand seabeds.[5]
References
- Alder, J., & Hancock, A. (1845). A monograph of the British nudibranchiate Mollusca: with figures of all the species. Pt. 1, fam. 1, pls. 4, 5, 26; fam. 3, pls. 3, 21, 24, 26, 34-36. Ray Society, London.
- Okenia aspersa (Alder & Hancock, 1845). Retrieved through: World Register of Marine Species on 10 January 2019.
- Gofas, S.; Le Renard, J.; Bouchet, P. (2001). Mollusca. in: Costello, M.J. et al. (Ed.) (2001). European register of marine species: a check-list of the marine species in Europe and a bibliography of guides to their identification. Collection Patrimoines Naturels. 50: pp. 180–213.
- Thompson, T. E., & G. H. Brown. 1984. Biology of opisthobranch molluscs, vol. 2, 229 pp., 41 pls. Ray Society, no. 156.
- Picton, B.E. & Morrow, C.C. (2015). Okenia aspersa (Alder & Hancock, 1845). [In] Encyclopedia of Marine Life of Britain and Ireland.]
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