Tambja morosa

Tambja morosa, also known as Tambja kushimotoensis or gloomy nudibranch,[3] is a species of sea slug, a dorid nudibranch, a shell-less marine gastropod mollusk in the subfamily Nembrothinae[4] within the family Polyceridae.[2][5]

Tambja morosa
Tambja morosa in Mactan, Philippines, head end towards the left
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Mollusca
Class: Gastropoda
Subclass: Heterobranchia
Order: Nudibranchia
Suborder: Doridina
Superfamily: Polyceroidea
Family: Polyceridae
Genus: Tambja
Species:
T. morosa
Binomial name
Tambja morosa
(Bergh, 1877)[1]
Synonyms[2]
  • Nembrotha morosa Bergh, 1877
  • Tambja kushimotoensis Baba, 1987

This species is instead sometimes placed in the family Gymnodorididae.[6]

Distribution

The distribution of this species is primarily Indo-Pacific. It is found in the Philippines, Indonesia, Thailand, Myanmar, Malaysia, New Zealand, Solomon Islands, Taiwan, Australia, French Polynesia, Fiji and Hawaii.

Description

This large species of Tambja grows to approximately 70–75 mm in length. This species is normally black with blue markings, although dark green specimens are found in the cooler waters of New South Wales and northern New Zealand.[4] The skin of this slug is wrinkled, and it appears nearly black underwater. It has approximately five round, blue spots on its back, a blue band around its head, and a bright blue margin.[7]

Diet

Tambja morosa feeds on arborescent bryozoan colonies.[4]

References
  1. Bergh, L.S.R. (1877). Malacologische Untersuchungen. In: C.G. Semper, Reisen im Archipel der Philippinen, Wissenschaftliche Resultate. Band 2, Heft 11: 429-494, Pls. 54-57.
  2. Tambja morosa (Bergh, 1877). 10 January 2019. Retrieved through: World Register of Marine Species.
  3. Hoover, John P.,"Hawai'i's Sea Creatures". Mutual Publishing, 1998, p. 176.
  4. "The Sea Slug Forum - Tambja morosa". Archived from the original on 2010-06-15. Retrieved 2009-07-17.
  5. Bouchet P. & Rocroi J.-P. (Ed.); Frýda J., Hausdorf B., Ponder W., Valdes A. & Warén A. 2005. Classification and nomenclator of gastropod families. Malacologia: International Journal of Malacology, 47(1-2). ConchBooks: Hackenheim, Germany. ISBN 3-925919-72-4. ISSN 0076-2997. 397 pp. http://www.vliz.be/Vmdcdata/imis2/ref.php?refid=78278
  6. Gary R. McDonald, "Nudibranch Systematic Index" (July 29, 2006). Institute of Marine Sciences. Paper Nudibranch_Systematic_Index.
  7. "Nudi of the Week is Tambja morosa".
  • Pola M., Cervera J.L. & Gosliner T.M. (2006) Taxonomic revision and phylogenetic analysis of the genus Tambja Burn, 1962 (Mollusca, Nudibranchia, Polyceridae). Zoologica Scripta 35(5):491-530.

Further reading
  • Baba, K. (1987) Two new green colored species of Tambja from Japan (Nudibranchia: Polyceridae). Venus, The Japanese Journal of Malacology, 46(1): 13-18.
  • Marshall, J.G. & Willan, R.C. (1999) Nudibranchs of Heron Island, Great Barrier Reef.
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