Atagema osseosa

Atagema osseosa is a species of sea slug or dorid nudibranch, a marine gastropod mollusk in the family Discodorididae.[1]

Atagema osseosa
Scientific classification
Kingdom:
Animalia
Phylum:
Mollusca
Class:
Gastropoda
(unranked):
clade Heterobranchia
clade Euthyneura
clade Nudipleura
clade Nudibranchia
Superfamily:
Doridoidea
Family:
Discodorididae
Genus:
Atagema
Species:
A. osseosa
Binomial name
Atagema osseosa
(Kelaart, 1859)
Synonyms
Trippa osseosa

Distribution

This species is found in the tropical Indo-West Pacific Ocean.

Description

This nudibranch has evolved to mimic closely in appearance the sandy-coloured sponge on which it both lives and feeds off.[1]

Ecology

Like many nudibranchs, this species feeds on sponges.

References
  1. Kelaart, E.F. (1858). Description of new and little known species of Ceylon nudibranchiate molluscs and zoophytes. Journal of the Ceylon Branch of the Royal Asiatic Society, Columbo, 3(1): 84-139. Accessed through:Sea Slug Forum at http://www.seaslugforum.net/showall/triposse on 2012-02-29


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