MarLIN

information on the biology of species and the ecology of habitats found around the coasts and seas of the British Isles

A dorid nudibranch (Aldisa zetlandica)

Distribution data supplied by the Ocean Biogeographic Information System (OBIS). To interrogate UK data visit the NBN Atlas.

Researched byNatalie Sweet Refereed byAdmin
Authority(Alder & Hancock, 1854)
Other common names- Synonyms-

Summary

Description

The mantle is usually white or translucent white with white specks, but has also been recorded as greenish grey (Picton & Morrow, 1994). The gills and rhinophores are also white in colour, with bushy gills which are fully retractable into a pocket. The body is elongate oval with high sides, and the dorsum is covered with large and small conical tubercles. It has short blunt auriculate tentacles on the head. The sides of the foot are tall, and whilst the mantle is not wide it covers the head and foot. Blue or brown digestive glands (the gut) may be seen through the body. Maximum recorded size 35 mm.

Recorded distribution in Britain and Ireland

Reported from Shetland, western Scotland and the west coast of Ireland.

Global distribution

Reported from Shetland south to the Azores.

Habitat

Found subtidally, this species was originally found through dredging in deep water in Shetland. May occur in depths from 25 to 1900 m but mainly between 70 to 320 m. Also reported from sponge rich areas amongst Axinellid sponges.

Depth range

-

Identifying features

  • White-translucent body with white specks
  • Rounded profile
  • 5 bushy gills
  • Dorsum covered with large and small conical tubercles
  • Foot is more elongate and narrower than other Aldisa species

Additional information

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Listed by

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Further information sources

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NBN WoRMS

Bibliography

  1. Howson, C.M. & Picton, B.E. (ed.), 1997. The species directory of the marine fauna and flora of the British Isles and surrounding seas. Belfast: Ulster Museum. [Ulster Museum publication, no. 276.]

  2. Millen, S.V. & Gosliner, T.M., 1985. Four new species of dorid nudibranchs belonging to the genus Aldisa(Mollusca: Opisthobranchia), with a revision of the genus. Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society

  3. National Biodiversity Network (NBN) Atlas website. Available from: http://www.nbnatlas.org.  Accessed 01 April 2017

  4. OBIS,  2017. Global map of species distribution using gridded data. Available from: Ocean Biogeographic Information System. www.iobis.org. Accessed: 2017-07-12

  5. Picton, B. E. & Morrow, C.C., 1994. A Field Guide to the Nudibranchs of the British Isles. London: Immel Publishing Ltd.

  6. Picton, B.E. & Costello, M.J., 1998. BioMar biotope viewer: a guide to marine habitats, fauna and flora of Britain and Ireland. [CD-ROM] Environmental Sciences Unit, Trinity College, Dublin., http://www.itsligo.ie/biomar/

  7. Thompson, T. E. & Brown, G. H., 1976. British Opisthobranch Molluscs. London: Academic Press. [Synopses of the British Fauna, no. 8.]

  8. Thompson, T.E. & Brown, G.H., 1984. Biology of Opisthobranch Molluscs, vol. II. London: Ray Society.

  9. WoRMS 2007. The World Register of Marine Species (WoRMS). http://www.marinespecies.org, 2008-10-31

Citation

This review can be cited as:

Sweet, N. A. 2008. Aldisa zetlandica A dorid nudibranch. In Tyler-Walters H. and Hiscock K. (eds) Marine Life Information Network: Biology and Sensitivity Key Information Reviews, [on-line]. Plymouth: Marine Biological Association of the United Kingdom. Available from: http://www.marlin.ac.uk/species/detail/173

Last Updated: 24/07/2008