This species has been observed on Madagascar Island
Order : Nudibranchia
Suborder : Dexiarchia
Superfamily : Aeolidioidea
Family : Facelinidae
Distribution : Indo West Pacific
Maximal size : 40 mm
Abundance :
Species characteristics : Transparent white with an orange triangular patch on the head
The basal third of both the rhinophores and the oral tentacles is translucent, the upper two thirds being bright orange.
The lower two-thirds of each cerata is transparent. There is then a broad band of bright orange and then a region of white patching. The tip is transparent.
The. digestive gland, which runs to halfway up the orange band is clearly visible and ranges in colour from light greenish brown to a dark chocolate brown. |
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| Showing species characteristics... |
Photo Alain-Benoît Rassat
Madagascar, Nosy Bé, 8 m, 11 May 2017, size : 20 mm
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See more about : Sightening and mating periods
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Remarks :
 Identification confirmed by Hsini Lin
Synonymous (according worms) :
- No other name
Bibliographic data :
Body coloration
- The body is pale, translucent white, sometimes with a slight tinge of orange. The head is bright orange from the base of the oral tentacles to the rhinophores. The sides of the head, like the rest of the body, are translucent white.
- The basal third of both the rhinophores and the oral tentacles is translucent, the upper two thirds being bright orange.
- The anterior edge of the foot and the whole of the foot corners is a bright orange.
- The tip of the tail is also orange.
- The lower two-thirds of each cerata is transparent. There is then a broad band of bright orange and then a region of white patching. The tip is transparent. The. digestive gland, which runs to halfway up the orange band is clearly visible and ranges in colour from light greenish brown to a dark chocolate brown.
- ln some specimens all the colours appear faded, with the digestive gland being a light khaki brown and the orange being quite pale
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Animal large, up to 40 mm long, the most distinctive feature being the extremely long cerata, approximately two-thirds the body length
The oral tentacles are long and tapering.
The rhinophores are about two-thirds the length of the oral tentacles and in some specimens there are indistinct wrinkling and bumps
The cerata are usually extremely long, and often held upright
It feeds on hydroids. In Tanzania it was found feeding on both Salacia tetracythara and Eudendrium sp. cf. carneum
Etymology : The species name is derived from the Swahili name for the porcupine, nungunungu. This is an allusion to the behaviour of the animal, in erecting or bristling its cerata when startled
References :
Bill Rudman Seaslug site : Sea Slug Forum : Sakuraeolis nungunoides
Nudipixel Sakuraeolis nungunoides
Slug Site Sakuraeolis nungunoides
Publications :
Rudman, W.B. (1980). Aeolid opisthobranch molluscs (Glaucidae) from the Indian Ocean and the south-west Pacific. Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society, 68 : 139-172.
Other photos of Sakuraeolis nungunoides :
Alain-Benoît rassat
Madagascar, Nosy Bé, 8 m, 11 May 2017, size : 20 mm |
With hight resolution... |
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