Tambja
Tambja is a genus of colorful, relatively large sea slugs, commonly known as nudibranchs, belonging to the family Polyceridae. They are characterized by their bright and contrasting colors, often with complex patterns, and their distinctive club-shaped cerata, which are finger-like projections on their backs.
Distribution and Habitat
Tambja species are found in various tropical and subtropical regions around the world, including the Indo-Pacific, the Caribbean, and the Mediterranean Sea. They typically inhabit shallow, rocky reefs and seagrass beds, where they feed on sponges and other invertebrates.
Description
Nudibranchs of the genus Tambja are generally small to medium in size, with most species ranging from 1 to 5 centimeters in length. They exhibit a wide range of color variations, including bright red, orange, yellow, green, blue, and purple. Their bodies are often covered with colorful spots, stripes, or blotches, and their cerata are typically elongated and pointed. These cerata contain digestive glands and are used for both respiration and digestion.
Feeding
Tambja nudibranchs are carnivorous and primarily feed on sponges. They use their radula, a tongue-like structure with rows of teeth, to scrape off sponge tissue. Some species are known to specialize on specific sponge species, while others are more generalist feeders.
Reproduction
Like all nudibranchs, Tambja species are hermaphroditic, meaning they have both male and female reproductive organs. During mating, two individuals exchange sperm and eggs. The eggs are laid in long, spiral ribbons attached to rocks or other surfaces. The eggs hatch into free-swimming larvae that eventually settle and transform into adult nudibranchs.
Conservation Status
Most Tambja species are not considered threatened or endangered, but some are facing threats from habitat loss, pollution, and climate change. It is important to protect their habitats and to avoid collecting or disturbing them.
References
For further information, please refer to the following resources: