The Tiger Armina – Armina tigrina is a captivating nudibranch, a type of sea slug, renowned for its striking coloration and intriguing feeding habits.
Description & Characteristics
The Armina tigrina boasts a distinctive, elongated body, typically reaching a maximum size of around 60 millimeters. Its coloration is a striking blend of vibrant orange and black, with the orange portions adorned with intricate patterns of black spots. These vibrant colors serve as a warning signal to potential predators, highlighting the sea slug’s toxicity. The Armina tigrina possesses a pair of prominent, cerata-like structures, known as rhinophores, on its head. These sensory organs are vital for detecting prey and navigating its surroundings.
Habitat and Occurrence
The Tiger Armina – Armina tigrina is a common inhabitant of tropical and subtropical waters, particularly in the Indo-Pacific region. It is frequently encountered in shallow reef environments, often residing in areas with abundant coral growth. Its distribution extends from the Red Sea to the Pacific Ocean, making it a prevalent presence in these aquatic ecosystems.
Taxonomy
The species Armina tigrina belongs to the Class: Gastropoda, Order: Nudibranchia, and Family: Arminidae. This classification places it within a diverse group of marine mollusks characterized by their lack of a shell and the presence of gills. The Arminidae family is known for its distinctive feeding habits and the presence of cerata, the finger-like projections that line the bodies of these sea slugs.
Feeding
The Armina tigrina is a specialized predator known as a corallivorous nudibranch, meaning it primarily feeds on coral polyps. It uses its radula, a rasping tongue-like structure, to scrape the polyps from the coral surface. The Armina tigrina has a unique ability to store nematocysts, stinging cells, obtained from its coral prey. These nematocysts are then incorporated into its own body, providing a defense mechanism against predators.
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