Mulliner’s Nembrotha – Nembrotha mullineri

, Mulliner's Nembrotha, Nembrotha mullineri

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Mulliner’s Nembrotha ( Nembrotha mullineri ) is a species of colorful sea slug, a nudibranch, belonging to the family Polyceridae. This striking creature is known for its distinctive appearance and its specialized diet.

Description & Characteristics

The Nembrotha mullineri is a relatively large nudibranch, with individuals typically reaching lengths of up to 10 centimeters. Its body is characterized by a striking combination of colors, often displaying a vibrant orange or red background with intricate black, white, and sometimes yellow markings. These markings can be in the form of spots, stripes, or even intricate patterns. The Nembrotha mullineri has a prominent oral veil, a flap of tissue located around its mouth, and cerata, finger-like projections, along its back. These cerata, which are highly vascularized, serve an important role in respiration and may even contain stinging nematocysts from prey, providing an extra layer of defense.

Habitat and Occurrence

The Nembrotha mullineri is a creature of the marine environment, thriving in seawater. The species is found in tropical and subtropical waters, typically inhabiting shallow reefs and rocky areas. Its occurrence extends to the Indo-Pacific region, making it a common sight in these diverse ecosystems. Nembrotha mullineri is often observed in intertidal zones and at depths ranging from a few meters to around 20 meters.

Taxonomy

The species Nembrotha mullineri belongs to the Class Gastropoda, Order Nudibranchia, and Family Polyceridae. The Gastropoda, a diverse class of mollusks, includes snails, slugs, and limpets, and is known for its characteristic spirally coiled shell. The Nudibranchia, commonly known as sea slugs, are a fascinating group of marine gastropods, most of which lack an external shell. The Polyceridae, the family to which Nembrotha mullineri belongs, is distinguished by its members’ generally elongated bodies and the presence of cerata, finger-like projections on the back, as seen in this species.

Feeding

The Nembrotha mullineri is a food specialist, with a diet consisting primarily of sea squirts. These marine invertebrates, commonly known as tunicates, are filter feeders and often live attached to rocks or other hard surfaces in the marine environment. Nembrotha mullineri uses its radula, a tongue-like structure with rows of teeth, to scrape and consume the tunicates’ flesh.

Associated Species

Image References

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