Gargamella rosi

Gargamella rosi (Ortea, 1979)

Discodoris rosi @ Costa Brava 2-05-2015 by Enric Madrenas

Taxonomic Note: Fernández-Vilert et al. (2024) conducted a series of genetic analysis on a broad sample of sea slugs from the family Discodorididae and, among many other novel and interesting findings, observed that Discodoris rosi Ortea, 1979, from northwestern and northeastern Spain, clustered genetically with Carminodoris boucheti Ortea, 1979, from northeastern Spain. Previous morphological studies had already suggested placing Discodoris rosi in the genus Rostanga due to its elongated, slender lateral radular teeth, a character traditionally used to identify Rostanga species (Rudman & Avern 1989; Dayrat & Gosliner 2005; Dayrat 2011). Additionally, like other species of Rostanga, Discodoris rosi and Carminodoris boucheti possess caryophyllidia tubercles, a feature absent in the genus Discodoris (Ortea et al. 2014). However, the labial cuticle of Discodoris rosi is smooth, whereas it is armed with jaw elements in both Rostanga and Discodoris (Ortea et al. 2014), except for Rostanga elandsia, which has a smooth, unarmed jaw (Garovoy et al. 2001). For this reason, some authors retained Discodoris rosi in Discodoris, pending further clarification (Sánchez-Tocino 2003; Cervera et al. 2004). Since both Discodoris rosi and Carminodoris boucheti also cluster with the type species Gargamella immaculata, and given that Carminodoris boucheti and Gargamella share a smooth labial cuticle (Perrone & Doneddu 1996; Ortea et al. 2006), as previously noted for Discodoris rosi and Rostanga elandsia, Fernández-Vilert et al. (2024) transferred these species to Gargamella, establishing the new combinations Gargamella boucheti, Gargamella elandsia, and Gargamella rosi.

Synonyms

• Rostanga rosi  Ortea, 1979
• Discodoris rosi (Ortea, 1979)

Description
The specimens of this species usually measure between 20 and 25 mm in length and have an oval body contour. Its color is uniform orange or red-orange and it may also have some small white colored spots. Besides color, the most characteristic trait of this species are the thin white lines marking circular, oval or elongated areas. In some specimens these white lines are very visible. The entire back is covered with small caryophyllic tubercles, well spaced and with slightly protruding spicules. Some of these tubercles have white pigment in its base and its union is what causes white spots on the back. The rhinophores have a translucent yellow base without lamellae and a red-orange end with about 15 lamellae. At the base without lamellae there could be seen spicules by transparency. The rhinophoric sheath is rather high and has small tubercles on its upper edge. The gill consists of 6 or 7 red or orange gill leaves that are kept erect when the animal is at rest or wandering. In the gill leaves spicules can be seen by transparency. The spine of the gill leaves is wider at the base. The upper margin of the branchial sheath has the same tubercles of the rhinophoric sheath. The foot is of the same color of the body, is furrowed and cleft on the front side and rounded on the rear side. The mouth has a pair of oral palps.

Biology
This species is usually located under stones or among algae from the intertidal or subtidal to about 15 m deep. It has been cited that, in the coasts of Portugal, feeds on the sponge Clathria gradalis. The spawn consists of a narrow transparent ribbon with orange eggs enclosed within a semitransparent capsule.

Etymology

• Gargamella. Bergh’s name is likely referring to Gargamelle, the giantess, who was mother of Gargantua in F. Rabelais’ story from the 16th century “La vie de Gargantua et de Pantagruel”.
• Rosi. Dedicated to Dr. Joandomènec Ros, professor of the Ecology Department of the Universitat de Barcelona, who restarted the studi of Iberian opisthobranchs from 1973.

Distribution
This recently described species is distributed throughout the Atlantic coasts of Europe and the western Mediterranean. In the Iberian Peninsula it has been cited on the Cantabrian coast, in Galicia, in Portugal, in the Andalusian coast and in Catalonia. In the Catalan coast it has been located in Tossa de Mar and Begur, among other locations.

More pictures

Bibliography

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Bibliography based on the works by Steve Long, 2006. Bibliography of Opisthobranchia 1554-2000 and Gary McDonald, 2009. Bibliographia Nudibranchia, with later updates from other resources.

Further reading

• AsturNatura
• Biodiversity Heritage Library
• BiologiaMarina.org
• CIB - Club Immersio Biologia
• DORIS
• El Litoral de Granada
• Flickr pictures
• GROC
• Interim Register of Marine and Nonmarine Genera
• NCBI GenBank
• OBIS - Search by Taxon
• Sea Slug Forum
• World Register of Marine Species

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