Mayotte and Madagascar Islands

Marionia viridescens Eliot, 1904

This species has been observed on Mayotte and Madagascar Islands

Order : Nudibranchia
Suborder : Dexiarchia
Superfamily : Tritonioidea
Family : Tritiniidae
Distribution : Western Indian Ocean
Maximal size : 30 mm
Abundance :

Species characteristics :

The colour is somewhat variably marbled with beige and brown sometimes with orange or pink overtones. Some specimens are white.

There is always a distinct symmetrical white pattern down the dorsum which branches to the gills bases

The oral veil was large, divided into two halves; there are four papillae on each side, who can be subdivided.

There are ten or eleven gills on each side which were approximately the same size, but pointed alternately medially and laterally

Showing species characteristics...

Photo Matthias Deuss
Mayotte, Le Rocher, Petite Terre, less 1 m, 17 February 2013, size : 20 mm during the night

See more about : Sightening and mating periods

Remarques :

Identification confirmed by Hsini Lin and Nathalie Yonow. This species is also called Marioniopsis viridescens by some specialists
Synonymous :
- Marioniopsis viridescens (Eliot, 1904)

External morphology :

The rhinophore stalk divided distally into a central digitiform process surrounded by arborescent processes.
The rhinophores sheaths are flared and crenulated.
Reported to be nocturnal. It may feed on Heteroxenia

References :

Opisthobranchs of Eilat : Marionia viridescens
Philippines : Marionia viridescens

Publications :

Yonow, N. (2000). Red sea Opistobranch 4: The orders Cephalapsidea, Anaspidea, Notaspidea and Nudibranchia: Dentronotacea and Aelidacea. Fauna of arabia 18; 87-131

Other photos of Marionia viridescens :