Platydoris argo (Linné, 1767)
WoRMS Taxonomic Information
Current classification
| Superdomain | Biota |
|---|---|
| Kingdom | Animalia |
| Phylum | Mollusca |
| Class | Gastropoda |
| Subclass | Heterobranchia |
| Infraclass | Euthyneura |
| Subterclass | Ringipleura |
| Superorder | Nudipleura |
| Order | Nudibranchia |
| Suborder | Doridida |
| Infraorder | Doridoidei |
| Superfamily | Doridoidea |
| Family | Discodorididae |
| Genus | Platydoris |
| Species | Platydoris argo (Linnaeus, 1767) |
- Doris argo Linnaeus, 1767 (original)
- Doris canariensis d’Orbigny, 1839
- Doris infravalvata Abraham, 1877
- Doris subtumida Abraham, 1877
- Platydoris dura Pruvot-Fol, 1951
- Platydoris philippi Bergh, 1877
Description
The largest specimens of this species can reach about 10 cm in length. The body is very flat (the genus name refers to this trait) and of leathery consistence. The color of the back is a nearly uniform reddish brown and can have many small white scores scattered around the mantle, forming roughly defined spots and sometimes drawing two or three spots on each side of the back. The dorsum is very broad and covers completely the foot, having a somewhat scalloped edge. Under binocular lens it can be seen that the entire back is covered with small conical protuberances and spicules. The rhinophores are somewhat darker than the back, have 15-20 lamellae and can be fully retracted into the body; the rhinophoric sheath is slightly elevated. The gill consists of six tripinnate type gill leaves and is darker than the back due to presence of small brown spots, the tips of the gill leaves is usually white because they are spotted with this color. Gill can fully retract into the body and then the 6 lobed gill hole can be seen, arranged transversally to the body. Ventral mantle is yellowish and has numerous smaller brown spots located externally and the larger ones corresponding to those found near the foot. This is orange and quite narrow, having its leading edge creased and furrowed. Foot sidewalls also have brown spots. The mouth is flanked by a pair of short digitiform oral palps.
Biology
This large doridacean species can be located under rocks or in rock walls with an abundance of seaweeds, sponges and bryozoans from a few meters deep. Some specimens can be caught deeper in commercial trawl fisheries among the bycatch. Because of their color, many individuals, especially those living in rocky walls are perfectly cryptic with the substrate and difficult to spot. They can feed on sponges such as Crambe crambe, on or around which they can be seen while diving, although it could also eat bryozoans of the genus Sertella in coraligenous bottoms. Some authors erroneously cite it feeds on algae. The spawn consists of a yellow strip about 10 mm high, scalloped and rolled into a several turns spiral that can be 3-4 cm in diameter.
Etymology
- Platýs. Greek word meaning “broad”.
- Doris. Marine nymph of the Greek mythology.
- Argo . This specific name refers to the white spots of this species, which are compared with eyes. A mythological legend explains that Argos was a prince of Argos or Argolis. He had a hundred eyes of which he always had fifty opened.
Distribution
This species has been known for almost three centuries as it was described by Linnaeus with the genus Doris in 1767. Since then it seems to have a fairly limited geographical distribution, as far as it is known, limited to the Mediterranean Sea (both eastern and western basins), Cape Verde, Canary Islands, Madeira, Azores and the Iberian Peninsula, where it is quoted without interruption from the Portuguese to the Catalan shores. Also present in the Balearic islands. In Catalonia it has been cited in Cala Sant Antoni and Es Caials (Cadaques), L’Escala, Illes Medes (L’Estartit), Begur, Palamos, Tossa de Mar, Cala Sant Francesc (Blanes) and in the port of Tarragona, among other locations.
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Abundance
| Western Mediterranean: | ★★★☆☆ |
| Eastern Mediterranean: | ★★☆☆☆ |
| Atlantic Ocean: | ★☆☆☆☆ |
This chart displays the monthly observation probability for Platydoris argo based on our own records.
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Further reading
Cite this article as:
Ballesteros, M., Madrenas, E. & Pontes, M. (2025) "Platydoris argo" in OPK-Opistobranquis. Published: 16/05/2012. Accessed: 03/09/2026. Available at (https://opistobranquis.info/en/?p=509)
