Purple-lined Nembrotha – Nembrotha purpureolineata

, Purple-lined Nembrotha, Nembrotha purpureolineata

Afghanistan, Alaska, Algeria, Andaman and Nicobar, Angola, Antarctica, Antigua and Barbuda, Arctic, Argentina, Ascension Island, Australia, Austria, Azerbaijan, Azores Islands, Bangladesh, Belarus, Bolivia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Brazil, Brunei Darussalam, Bulgaria, Cambodia, Cameroon, Canada, Canary Islands, Cayman Islands, Central African Republic, Chile, China, Cocos Islands, Comoros, Congo, Cook Islands, Corsica Island, Crete Island, Croatia, Curaçao, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Denmark, El Salvador, England, Equatorial Guinea, Falkland Islands, Faroe Islands, Finland, France, French Polynesia, Gabon, Galapagos Islands, Germany, Ghana, Gibraltar, Greece, Greenland, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Hawaii, Honduras, Hungary, India, Indonesia, Iran, Iraq, Ireland, Italy, Ivory Coast, Japan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Laos, Macedonia, Madagascar, Madeira Islands, Malawi, Marshall Islands, Mauritius, Mexico, Micronesia, Moldova, Morocco, Mozambique, Myanmar, Namibia, New Zealand, Nicaragua, Nigeria, Norfolk Island, North Korea, Northern Ireland, Norway, Oman, Pakistan, Palestine, Papua New Guinea, Peru, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Reunion Island, Romania, Russia, Saint Martin, São Tomé and Príncipe, Sardinia Island, Scotland, Senegal, Serbia, Sicily Island, Sierra Leone, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, Solomon Islands, Somalia, South Africa, South Georgia And The South Sandwich Islands, South Korea, Spain, Sweden, Taiwan, Tajikistan, Tanzania, Tonga, Tunisia, Turkey, Turkmenistan, Turks and Caicos Islands, Ukraine, United Kingdom, United States Minor Outlying Islands, Uruguay, US Minor Islands, USA, Uzbekistan, Vatican City, Venezuela, Vietnam, Virgin Islands, Wales, Yemen, Zambia, Zimbabwe

Amvrakikos Gulf, Andaman Sea, Arabian Sea, Aral Sea, Arctic Ocean, Atlantic Ocean, Baltic Sea, Barents Sea, Bay of Bengal, Bay of Biscay, Beaufort Sea, Bering Sea, Black Sea, Bohai Sea, Cantabrian Sea, Celtic Sea, Chukchi Sea, Coral Sea, Dead Sea, English Channel, German Bight, Great Barrier Reef, Greenland Sea, Gulf of Aden, Gulf of Fonseca, Gulf of Maine, Gulf of Mexico, Gulf of Saint Lawrence, Halmahera Sea, Iberian Sea, Indian Ocean, Java Sea, Korinthiakos Gulf, Labrador Sea, Levantine Sea, Lingayan Gulf, Mediterranean Sea, Moro Gulf, Okhotsk Sea, Pacific Ocean, Pagassitikos Gulf, Salish Sea, Saronikos Gulf, Scotia Sea, Sea of Azov, Sea of Marmara, Siberian Sea, South China Sea, Southern Ocean, Thermaikos Gulf, Yellow Sea

The Purple-lined Nembrotha – Nembrotha purpureolineata is a striking and captivating species of sea slug belonging to the family Polyceridae. This nudibranch, often referred to as a “sea slug,” is characterized by its vibrant coloration and unique patterns, making it a fascinating subject for marine enthusiasts and researchers alike.

Description & Characteristics

The Nembrotha purpureolineata is easily recognizable due to its distinctive appearance. It possesses a slender, elongated body with a pointed head and rhinophores (sensory organs) that resemble antennae. The most prominent feature is its vibrant purple-lined mantle, which covers its dorsal surface. The mantle is adorned with numerous raised papillae (small bumps) arranged in rows, creating a textured and visually appealing surface. These papillae are a key characteristic that distinguishes this species from other Nembrotha species.

Habitat and Occurrence

The Purple-lined Nembrotha typically inhabits the Subtidal, sublittoral, infralittoral, deep zone of the oceans from the lower limit of the intertidal zone (intertidal) to the shelf edge at about 200 m water depth. neritic. This means it can be found in a wide range of marine environments, from shallow coastal waters to deeper oceanic regions. This species prefers rocky reefs and areas with a variety of invertebrates, where it can find its preferred prey.

Taxonomy

The species Nembrotha purpureolineata belongs to the Class: Gastropoda, Order: Nudibranchia, and Family: Polyceridae. This classification places it within the larger group of gastropods, which includes snails, slugs, and other mollusks. Nudibranchs are a highly diverse and fascinating group of marine invertebrates known for their striking colors and unique adaptations.

Feeding

The Purple-lined Nembrotha – Nembrotha purpureolineata is a food specialist, meaning it has a specific diet. It primarily feeds on sea squirts, which are filter-feeding marine animals. These sea squirts provide the Nembrotha purpureolineata with essential nutrients and energy.

Associated Species

Image References

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