Armina maculata is a species of sea slug, a nudibranch, a marine gastropod mollusk in the family Arminidae.[1]

Armina maculata
A live individual of the species, in situ, head towards the right
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Mollusca
Class: Gastropoda
Subclass: Heterobranchia
Order: Nudibranchia
Suborder: Cladobranchia
Family: Arminidae
Genus: Armina
Species:
A. maculata
Binomial name
Armina maculata
(Rafinesque, 1814)
Synonyms[1]
  • Diphyllidia ocellata Deshayes, 1838
  • Diphyllidia pustulosa Philippi, 1836
  • Diphyllidia verrucosa Cantraine, 1835

Description edit

 
Close up of head area
 
Electron micrograph of the radula of the species

The mantle is colored bright orange, and is uniformly covered with white bumps. Individuals can be found up to 15 cm.[2]

Distribution edit

This species occurs in European waters and the Mediterranean Sea. It has often been observed feeding on the sea pen Veretillum cynomorium.[3]

References edit

  1. ^ a b Gofas, S. (2010). Armina maculata Rafinesque, 1814. In: Bouchet, P.; Gofas, S.; Rosenberg, G. (2010) World Marine Mollusca database. Accessed through: World Register of Marine Species at http://www.marinespecies.org/aphia.php?p=taxdetails&id=138805 on 2012-04-15
  2. ^ DUMAS, Jacques; SITTLER, Alain-Pierre; PERRIER, Philippe; MÜLLER, Yves; ADER, Denis. "Armina maculata". DORIS. Retrieved 2020-12-17.
  3. ^ Guerriero, Antonio; D'Ambrosio, Michele; Pietra, Francesco (1987). "Verecynarmin A, a Novel Briarane Diterpenoid Isolated from Both the Mediterranean Nudibranch Molluse Armina maculata and its Prey, the Pennatulacean Octocoral Veretillum cynomorium". Helvetica Chimica Acta. 70 (4): 984–991. doi:10.1002/hlca.19870700408.
  • Sea Slug Forum info
  • Gofas, S.; Le Renard, J.; Bouchet, P. (2001). Mollusca, in: Costello, M.J. et al. (Ed.) (2001). European register of marine species: a check-list of the marine species in Europe and a bibliography of guides to their identification. Collection Patrimoines Naturels, 50: pp. 180–213