| 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. |
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| Showing species characteristics... |
Photo
Alain-Benoît Rassat
Madagascar, Olaf, Nosy bé, 15 m, 22 June 2013, size : 60 mm
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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.
Other photos of Tambja olivaria :
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