Stiliger smaragdinus Baba, 1949

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This species has been observed on Madagascar Island


Order : Sacoglossa
Superfamily : Limapontioidea
Family : Limapontiidae
Distribution : Indo West Pacific
Maximal size : 50mm
Abundance : Seldom if ever...

Species characteristics :

This is a relatively large, olive-green species with spindle-shaped, slightly iridescent cerata. The distal portions of the cerata are darker green and their inner surfaces are weakly tuberculate with white flecks.

The rhinophores are tipped with white and there is a dark olive-green line running across the head between the eye spots.

stiliger smaragdinus
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Photo Alain-Benoît Rassat
Madagascar, Plateaux des Arches 20 m, 12 November 2016, size : 20 mm

See more about : Sightening and mating periods

Remarks :

Identification confirmed by Kathe Jensen
    According Kathe Jensen " This is what I would call Stiliger smaragdinus. However, there are several problems: First of all, genus names within this family are not very well defined and in need of thorough revision. Second, molecular studies have indicated that there may be several species in a complex resembling S. smaragdinus and feeding on Caulerpa..."
    Synonymous : (according Worms)
          - No other name

Bibliographic data :

Various pigment spots can be seen on the surface of the body, ranging from white to yellow and dark green.
    This species, Stiliger smaragdinus,  has an amazing resemblance to the green alga Caulerpa racemosa on which it lives and feeds. It feeds by sucking the cell contents out of the large bubble-like cells of the Caulerpa..

References :

Bill Rudman Seaslug site : Sea Slug Forum : Stiliger smaragdinus
   Medslug Stiliger smaragdinus
   SeaSlug of Hawai'i Stiliger smaragdinus

Publications :

Baba, K. (1949) Opisthobranchia of Sagami Bay . Iwanami Shoten, Tokyo. 211pp + pls.

Other photos of Stiliger smaragdinus :


Alain-Benoît Rassat

Madagascar, Plateaux des Arches 20 m, 12 November 2016, size : 20 mm

The distal portions of the cerata are darker green and their inner surfaces are weakly tuberculate with white flecks (a).

The rhinophores are tipped with white (b) and there is a dark olive-green line (c) running across the head between the eye spots.


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