Roboastra luteolineata ( Baba, 1936 )

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This species has been observed on Mauritius, Madagascar


Order : Nudibranchia
Suborder : Euctenidiacea
Superfamily : Polyceroidea
Family : Polyceridae
Distribution : Western indian ocean
Maximal size : 80 mm
Abundance :

Species characteristics :

It is charaterized by the yellowish-green markings between the rhinophores (not observed in our specimens) and the dark green colour with many yellow longitudinal lines

The gills are highly branched and the yellow mid-dorsal lines extend up onto the gills


Roboastra luteolineata
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Photo Yann von Arnim
Mauritius, Ferme marine de Mahebourg, 20 m, December 2010, size : 60 mm

See more about : Sightening and mating periods

Remarks :

Identification confirmed by Nathalie Yonow
    The green marks between the rhinophores which are clearly present in Australian and Japanese specimens aren't observed in our specimens, like specimen from South Africa in Helmut Debelius's book
    Synonymous : (according Worms)
               - Nembrotha luteolineata Baba, 1936

Bibliographic data :

It has large downward pointing oral tentacles which are probably associated with locating and tracking down their prey
    The name "luteolineata" was obviously chosen to draw attention to the yellow lines down the length of the dorsum.
    It is distinguished from its similar sibling species, Roboastra gracilis, by its thinner mid-dorsal lines which extend up onto the gills and the gills themselves which are highly branched rather than simply pinnate in R. gracilis.
    It has been observed feeding on Nembrotha kubaryana, Tambja verconis and T. morosa

References :

Bill Rudman Seaslug site : Sea Slug Forum : Roboastra luteolineata
   Nudipixel Roboastra luteolineata

Publications :

Baba, K. (1936). Opisthobranchia of the Ryukyu (Okinawa) Islands. Journal of the Department of Agriculture, Kyushu Imperial University, 5(1) : 1-50, Pl. 1-3.

Other photos of Roboastra luteolineata :


 

 

Pierre Périès

Mauritius, 25 m, 13 August 2014, size : 40 mm

It has large downward pointing oral tentacles (a) which are probably associated with locating and tracking down their prey

In this specimen the mid-dorsal lines don't extend up onto the gills


 

 

Alain-Benoît Rassat

Madagascar, L'Arche, Nosy Bé, 27 m, 20 may 2014, size : 40 mm

 

In this specimen the mid-dorsal lines don't extend up onto the gills


Yann von Arnim

Mauritius, Ferme Marine de Mahébourg, size : 80 mm

 


 

 

Nathalie Bazard

Madagascar, Nosy Bé, taille : 40 mm

 

 


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