Tambja limaciformis Eliot, 1908

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This species has been observed on Maritius and Madagascar Islands


Order : Nudibranchia
Suborder : Euctenidiacea
Superfamily : Polyceroidea
Family : Polyceridae
Distribution : Indian and Western Pacific
Maximal size : 15 mm
Abundance : Seldom if ever on the lagoon

Species characteristics :

Red to orange with a serie of opaque white or yellowish spots on the notum

Gill white with purple tips to the branches

Rhinophores red with a purple apex

tambja limaciformis
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Photo Gabby Salazar
Mauritius, coastal rock at Pointe d'Esny, less 1 m, size : 7 mm

See more about : Sightening and mating periods

Remarks :

Identification confirmed by Marta Pola
    Synonymous : (according Worms)
           - Nembrotha limaciformis Eliot, 1908
           - Nembrotha tabescens (Risbec, 1928)
           - Polycera tabescens Risbec, 1928

Bibliographic data :

The presence of purple to dark blue on the tips of the rhinophores and on the tips of the gill is distinctive in this species, like in five (may be more) species T. amakusana Baba, 1987, T. cf. amakusana Pola, Padula, Gosliner & Cervera 2014, T. oliva Meyer, 1977, T. kava  Pola, Padula, Gosliner & Cervera 2014, and T. limaciformis (Eliot, 1908). It also the case of Tambja sp. 1 and Tambja sp. 2

References :

Medslug : Tambja limaciformis
   Nudipixel Tambja limaciformis

Publications :

 Pola M., Cervera J.L. & Gosliner T.M. (2006) Taxonomic revision and phylogenetic analysis of the genus Tambja Burn, 1962 (Mollusca, Nudibranchia, Polyceridae). Zoologica Scripta 35(5):491-530

Other photos of Tambja limaciformis :


Sully Bachel

Madagascar, Sainte Marie, Passe de Lakana, 6 m, October 2008, size : 15 mm


Jean-Marie Gradot

Mauritius, Grand Bay lagoon, less 1 m, 31 July 2015, size : 10 mm

 


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