Madrella aurantiaca
Taxon version key
[NBNSYS0000183878]
Sort order
5760
Taxonomic group
Marine slug
Armina loveni
Taxon version key
[NBNSYS0000173956]
Sort order
5750
Taxonomic group
Marine slug
Discodoris millegrana
Taxon version key
[NBNSYS0000181384]
Sort order
5720
Taxonomic group
Marine slug
Atagema gibba
Taxon version key
[NBNSYS0000188545]
Sort order
5710
Taxonomic group
Marine slug
Doris sticta
Taxon version key
[NBNSYS0000175003]
Sort order
5680
Taxonomic group
Marine slug
Doris nobilis
Taxon version key
[NBNSYS0000181430]
Sort order
5670
Taxonomic group
Marine slug
Rostanga rubra
Distribution and status
Ecology and behaviour
Lower shore, and sublittorally to 60m. Well camouflaged on prey [6] red encrusting sponges such as Microciona atrasanguinea (SBI), Ophlitaspongia papilla (synonym O.seriata) (SBI) and another Ophlitaspongia sp.. Tubular brown anus ejects line of faeces [4] which writhes and floats away. If it lodges against the gills, individual plumes act like fingers to push it away. Simultaneous hermaphrodite. Spawn observed June-July.
Similar species
- Archidoris pseudoargus
- Much larger, up to 120mm long, than R. rubra.
- Often with large blotches of bright colours [Ad6].
- Variously sized blunt rounded tubercles [Ad3].
- Anus similar colour to mantle [Ad2].
- Gills tilt backwards and flare outwards [Ad7].
- Head small with vestigial oral tentacles.
Key identification features
- Rostanga rubra
- Up to 15mm long (20mm in Mediterranean).
- Mantle bright scarlet, orange, orange-yellow or pink with sparse scattered black [7] or reddish-brown spots [4].
- Conspicuous white stripe from rhinophore to rhinophore [8], sometimes incomplete [2].
- Perimeter of mantle beaded with white spots [1].
- Mantle covered with densely packed caryophyllidia [10] & [3].
- Gills usually held erect to form cylinder around brown tubular anus [4].
References and links
Alder, J. & Hancock, A. 1845-1855. A monograph of the British nudibranchiate mollusca. London, Ray Society.
Anderson, J., Scottish Nudibranchs (ScotNud)
Schmekel, L. & Portmann, A. 1982. Opisthobranchia des Mittelmeeres Nudibranchia und Sacoglossa. Berlin.
Thompson, T.E. & Brown, G.H. 1984. Biology of opisthobranch molluscs 2. London, Ray Society.
Current taxonomy: World Register of Marine Species (WoRMS).
Irish distribution map:
Picton, B.E. & Morrow, C.C., 2010. Encyclopedia of Marine Life of Britain and Ireland (EML).
Prey organisms:
Picton, B.E., Morrow, C.C. & van Soest, R.W.B., 2011. Sponges of Britain and Ireland (SBI)
Taxon version key
[NBNSYS0000177747]
Sort order
5660
Taxonomic group
Marine slug
Body
Aldisa zetlandica
Taxon version key
[NBNSYS0000173680]
Sort order
5650
Taxonomic group
Marine slug
Cadlina laevis
Taxon version key
[NBNSYS0000174249]
Sort order
5640
Taxonomic group
Marine slug
Cadlina glabra
Taxon version key
[NBNSYS0000179996]
Sort order
5630
Taxonomic group
Marine slug