Tambja olivaria
Yonow, 1994

Order: NUDIBRANCHIA
Suborder: DORIDINA
Superfamily: ANADORIDOIDEA
Family: Polyceridae

DISTRIBUTION

Indo-West Pacific? Known from Maldives and recorded here from the Philippines.

PHOTO

Upper: reef around Gato Island, Philippines. Depth: 15m. Approx 50mm in length. Photo: Paul Osmond. Lower: Moalboal, Cebu Island, Philippines, at 12 m. May 24, 2001, divesite "Pescador", length 62 mm. [Note: this animal lacks much of the yellow pattern mentioned in the original description].Photo: Erwin Koehler.

Known only frrom the holotype and some photographs from the Maldives, the is species is characterised by its dull 'olive' green background colour and pattern of black and orange-yellow markings. The black and yellow pattern is quite variable but its major elements consist of a yellow band that runs a round the anterior end, just in from the dark green edge, then runs back on each side to join behind the gills. Parts of this band can be absent, and at the posterior end, the join behind the gills it forms quite an acute angle. There are a pair of black patches just behind the rhinophores. The raised rhinophore pocket is yellow with a black border. The rhinophore club is black. The gills are yellow on the outer face with black lamellae. There are traces of a yellow submarginal band around the edge of the foot. This becomes very distinct at the posterior end of the foot which also has a black patch. Yonow (1994) notes that this animal was found on the arborescent bryozoan Bugula dentata and the collector (S. Harwood) reported that it exuded masses of green pigment when touched and produced an acid like burn on the collector's hands.

Reference:
• Yonow, N. (1994) Opisthobranchs from the Maldive Islands, including descriptions of seven new species (Mollusca: Gastropoda). Revue fr. Aquariol., 20(4): 97-130.

Authorship details
Rudman, W.B., 2001 (June 29) Tambja olivaria Yonow, 1994. [In] Sea Slug Forum. Australian Museum, Sydney. Available from http://www.seaslugforum.net/factsheet/tamboliv

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