Rostanga dentacus

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Rostanga dentacus
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Mollusca
Class: Gastropoda
Subclass: Heterobranchia
Order: Nudibranchia
Suborder: Doridina
Superfamily: Doridoidea
Family: Discodorididae
Genus: Rostanga
Species:
R. dentacus
Binomial name
Rostanga dentacus
Rudman & Avern, 1989[1]

Rostanga dentacus is a species of sea slug, a dorid nudibranch, a marine gastropod mollusc in the family Discodorididae.

Distribution[edit]

This species was described from Mirs Bay, Hong Kong. It has subsequently been reported from the Great Barrier Reef, Australia.[2][3]

Description[edit]

Rostanga dentacus is a red dorid nudibranch; the dorsum covered with caryophyllidia. There are a few rounded brown patches on the back, and scattered white specks both at the edge of the mantle and in patches on the back. The rhinophore club is translucent, and speckled with brown pigment.[1]

Ecology[edit]

Rostanga dentacus was found on a colony of an unidentified orange sponge.[1] Most other species of Rostanga feed on sponges of the family Microcionidae.

References[edit]

  1. ^ a b c Rudman, W.B. & Avern, G.J. (1989) The genus Rostanga Bergh, 1879 (Nudibranchia:Dorididae) in the Indo-West Pacific. Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society 96: 281-338.
  2. ^ Brian Morton (1 July 1998). The Marine Biology of the South China Sea III. Hong Kong University Press. pp. 48–. ISBN 978-962-209-461-1.
  3. ^ Rudman, W.B., 2002 (February 4) Rostanga dentacus Rudman & Avern, 1989. [In] Sea Slug Forum. Australian Museum, Sydney.