Tyrannodoris luteolineata

Tyrannodoris luteolineata
	Tyrannodoris luteolineata in Komodo, Indonesia.
Scientific classification
Domain:	Eukaryota
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Mollusca
Class:	Gastropoda
Order:	Nudibranchia
Superfamily:	Polyceroidea
Family:	Polyceridae
Genus:	Tyrannodoris
Species:	T. luteolineata
Binomial name
	Tyrannodoris luteolineata; Baba, 1936
Synonyms
	Nembrotha luteolineata Baba, 1936 ; Roboastra luteolineata (Baba, 1936) ;

Tyrannodoris luteolineata is a species of sea slug, a polycerid nudibranch, a marine gastropod mollusc in the family Polyceridae.^[2]

Distribution

This species was described from the Ryukyu Islands, Japan. It has been reported widely in the tropical Indo-Pacific Ocean. It has been observed as far south as the Poor Knights Islands in New Zealand in the Southern Hemisphere. This species is sometimes confused with the nudibranch Tambja affinis due to its outwardly similar appearance.^[3]

Description

Tyrannodoris luteolineata is quite large in comparison to most other sea-slugs. It is black, with yellow lines running lengthwise down the body. It can be distinguished from other similar-looking nudibranchs by the light green patches on the top of the head between its rhinophores. It is a fast-moving species.

Ecology

Tyrannodoris luteolineata, like other species in the genus Tyrannodoris, feeds on other nudibranchs, actively hunting them out. The species seems to generally feed only on nudibranchs from the family Polyceridae and has been observed eating Tambja morosa, Tambja verconis and Nembrotha kubaryana. It is also cannibalistic and will eat smaller individuals of its own species.^[4]

References

^ Baba, K. (1936). Opisthobranchia of the Ryukyu (Okinawa) Islands. Journal of the Department of Agriculture, Kyushu Imperial University. 5(1): 1–49.
^ MolluscaBase (2018). Tyrannodoris luteolineata (Baba, 1936). Accessed through: World Register of Marine Species on 2018-08-20.
^ Rudman, W.B., 1999 (February 22) Roboastra luteolineata (Baba, 1936). [In] Sea Slug Forum. Australian Museum, Sydney.
^ Rudman, W.B., 2007 (Jan 23). Comment on Roboastra luteolineata - Feeding behaviour! by Graham Abbott. [Message in] Sea Slug Forum. Australian Museum, Sydney.

External links

Photos of Tyrannodoris luteolineata on Sealife Collection

[1] Baba, K. (1936). Opisthobranchia of the Ryukyu (Okinawa) Islands. Journal of the Department of Agriculture, Kyushu Imperial University. 5(1): 1–49.

[2] MolluscaBase (2018). Tyrannodoris luteolineata (Baba, 1936). Accessed through: World Register of Marine Species on 2018-08-20.

[forum-3] Rudman, W.B., 1999 (February 22) Roboastra luteolineata (Baba, 1936). [In] Sea Slug Forum. Australian Museum, Sydney.

[cannibal-4] Rudman, W.B., 2007 (Jan 23). Comment on Roboastra luteolineata - Feeding behaviour! by Graham Abbott. [Message in] Sea Slug Forum. Australian Museum, Sydney.

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