Tambja olivaria Yonow, 1994

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This species has been observed on Madagascar Island


Order : Nudibranchia
Suborder : Euctenidiacea
Superfamily : Polyceroidea
Family : Polyceridae
Distribution : Indo West Pacific
Maximal size : 80 mm
Abundance : Seldom if ever on the fore reef zone

Species characteristics :

The ground color is olive green with black and yellow orange markings, the latter becoming yellow green in place

The raised rhinophore pocket is yellow with a black border. The black rhinophore are long and tapering, very densely lamellate.

The gills are yellow orange to yellow green on the outer face with black lamellae.

tambja olivaria
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Photo Alain-Benoît Rassat
Madagascar, Olaf, Nosy bé, 15 m, 22 June 2013, size : 60 mm

See more about : Sightening and mating periods

Remarks :

Identification confirmed by Nathalie Yonow
    Synonymous : (according Worms)
               - No other name

Bibliographic data :

The black and yellow pattern is quite variable but its major elements consist of a yellow band that runs a round the anterior end, just in from the dark green edge, then runs back on each side to join behind the gills. Parts of this band can be absent, and at the posterior end, the join behind the gills it forms quite an acute angle.
    Three large deeply branched nonretractile tripinnate gill leaves form a semicircle around the elevated tubular anal papilla ; base of gill elevated, giving the aspect of being raised in relation to the surface of the body
    Around the head is a thickened pallial rim, very deep green, which thins out at the neck and disappears completely by the time it reaches the level of the gills.
    On the sides between the rhinophores and oral tentacles is a raised oval lamellated structure, corresponded to the sensory organ.
    The latin olivarius mean “of olives”, referring to the colour.
    Yonow (1994) notes that this animal was found on the arborescent bryozoan Bugula dentata and the collector reported that it exuded masses of green pigment when touched and produced an acid like burn on the collector's hands. Erwin Koelher found a specimen on the same arborescent bryozoan Bugula dentata in Philippines

References :

Bill Rudman Seaslug site : Sea Slug Forum : Tambja olivaria
   Nudipixel Tambja olivaria

Publications :

Pola, M., Cervera, J.L. & Gosliner, T. (2005) Four New Species of Tambja Burn, 1962 (Nudibranchia: Polyceridae) from the Indo-Pacific. Journal of Molluscan Studies , 71: 257-267
    Yonow, N. (1994) Opisthobranchs from the Maldive Islands, including descriptions of seven new species (Mollusca: Gastropoda). Revue fr. Aquariol., 20(4) : 97-130.

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