Tyrannodoris luteolineata

Tyrannodoris luteolineata is a species of sea slug, a polycerid nudibranch, a marine gastropod mollusc in the family Polyceridae.[2]

Tyrannodoris luteolineata
Tyrannodoris luteolineata in Komodo, Indonesia.
Scientific classification
Kingdom:
Animalia
Phylum:
Mollusca
Class:
Gastropoda
(unranked):
clade Heterobranchia

clade Euthyneura
clade Nudipleura
clade Nudibranchia
clade Euctenidiacea

clade Doridacea
Superfamily:
Polyceroidea
Family:
Polyceridae
Subfamily:
Nembrothinae
Genus:
Tyrannodoris
Species:
T. luteolineata
Binomial name
Tyrannodoris luteolineata
Baba, 1936[1]
Synonyms
  • Nembrotha luteolineata Baba, 1936
  • Roboastra luteolineata (Baba, 1936)

Distribution

This species was described from the Ryukyu Islands, Japan. It has been reported widely in the tropical Indo-Pacific Ocean. It has been observed as far south as the Poor Knights Islands in New Zealand in the Southern Hemisphere. This species is sometimes confused with the nudibranch Tambja affinis due to its outwardly similar appearance.[3]

Description

Tyrannodoris luteolineata is quite large in comparison to most other sea-slugs. It is black, with yellow lines running lengthwise down the body. It can be distinguished from other similar-looking nudibranchs by the light green patches on the top of the head between its rhinophores. It is a fast-moving species.

Tyrannodoris luteolineata in Komodo, Indonesia.

Ecology

Tyrannodoris luteolineata, like other species in the genus Tyrannodoris, feeds on other nudibranchs, actively hunting them out. The species seems to generally feed only on nudibranchs from the family Polyceridae and has been observed eating Tambja morosa, Tambja verconis and Nembrotha kubaryana. It is also cannibalistic and will eat smaller individuals of its own species.[4]

References
  1. Baba, K. (1936). Opisthobranchia of the Ryukyu (Okinawa) Islands. Journal of the Department of Agriculture, Kyushu Imperial University. 5(1): 1–49.
  2. MolluscaBase (2018). Tyrannodoris luteolineata (Baba, 1936). Accessed through: World Register of Marine Species on 2018-08-20.
  3. Rudman, W.B., 1999 (February 22) Roboastra luteolineata (Baba, 1936). [In] Sea Slug Forum. Australian Museum, Sydney.
  4. Rudman, W.B., 2007 (Jan 23). Comment on Roboastra luteolineata - Feeding behaviour! by Graham Abbott. [Message in] Sea Slug Forum. Australian Museum, Sydney.
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