Trapania sanctipetrensis Cervera, García-Gómez & Megina, 2000
Superdomain | Biota | |
Kingdom | Animalia | |
Phylum | Mollusca | |
Class | Gastropoda | |
Subclass | Heterobranchia | |
Infraclass | Euthyneura | |
Subterclass | Ringipleura | |
Superorder | Nudipleura | |
Order | Nudibranchia | |
Suborder | Doridina | |
Infraorder | Doridoidei | |
Superfamily | Onchidoridoidea | |
Family | Goniodorididae | |
Genus | Trapania | |
Species | Trapania sanctipetrensis Cervera, García-Gómez & Megina, 2000 | |
Classification according to Bouchet et al. (2017) Taxonomic source: World Register of Marine Species (AphiaID: 181225). |
Body coloured translucent white with black or dark brown irregularly dispersed flecks, that may be concentrated in different areas forming dark patches. This colour scheme is also present on the head, dorsum, flanks, tail, base of the oral tentacles, the foot corners and on all body processes and external organs. Rhinophores have 6-9 lamellae. Gill composed by three tripinnate gill leaves, the one in the middle the largest. Both rhinophores and gill are protected by lateral processes with a similar length, typical of the genus Trapania. The oral tentacles are relatively long. The anterior foot margin is extended laterally into tentacular foot corners.
Biology
This species is very rare (or very cryptic) and has only been found once, on Bugula neritina bryozoans, despite it is probably not its food source. Trapania genus is known for feeding on entoprocta, small creatures that live on sponges.
Etymology
- Sanctipetrensis, referred to Sancti-Petri, the type locality of the species.
Distribution
So far this species has only been found in South West Spain (NE. Atlantic) in the coast of Chiclana, Cádiz. Its colour scheme makes it extremely cryptic on the substrate, so its scarcity is probably just a measure of its ability to go unnoticed.
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Abundance
Western Mediterranean: | ☆☆☆☆☆ |
Eastern Mediterranean: | ☆☆☆☆☆ |
Atlantic Ocean: | ★☆☆☆☆ |
More pictures
Bibliography
Further reading
Cite this article as:
Pontes, Miquel (2023) "Trapania sanctipetrensis" in OPK-Opistobranquis. Published: 15/02/2020. Accessed: 30/03/2023. Available at (https://opistobranquis.info/en/kA0nQ)