Jorunna tomentosa
(Cuvier, 1804)

Order: NUDIBRANCHIA
Suborder: DORIDINA
Family: Dorididae

DISTRIBUTION

North atlantic coast of Europe from Norway south to Portugal and Morocco. Perhaps the Mediterranean but the taxonomy of Mediterreanean Jorunna needs clarifying.

PHOTO

Plompe toren, de Oosterschelde, the Netherlands. PHOTO: Peter H. van Bragt

Like all species of Jorunna the mantle has a velvety appearance caused by the dense covering of caryophyllidia, which are tubercles with an array of protruding spicules (see photos of skin of Jorunna funebris and Jorunna pantherina).

The colour, mottled browns, creams and greys, combined with the spiculose mantle texture, ensure that this dorid is well camouflaged on the encrusting siliceous sponges on whicih it lives and feeds. These include Halichondria panicea and species of Haliclona. It grows to about 60mm long.

Reference:
• Thompson, T.E. & Brown, G.H. (1984) Biology of Opisthobranch Molluscs, Vol 2. Ray Society: London.

Authorship details
Rudman, W.B., 1999 (August 8) Jorunna tomentosa (Cuvier, 1804). [In] Sea Slug Forum. Australian Museum, Sydney. Available from http://www.seaslugforum.net/factsheet/jorutome

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