Tambja tentaculata from Raja Ampat, Indonesia

October 23, 2008
From: Fiona Kwok

Hi,
Another unknown nudi species...

Locality: Misool, Raja Ampat, 12 - 15 metres, Indonesia, Ceram Sea, 19 February, 2007, Reef Wall. Length: 2 cm. Photographer: Fiona Kwok.

Could you help identify?
Thanks,
Fiona

fi.kwok@gmail.com

Kwok, F, 2008 (Oct 23) Tambja tentaculata from Raja Ampat, Indonesia. [Message in] Sea Slug Forum. Australian Museum, Sydney. Available from http://www.seaslugforum.net/find/20789

Dear Fiona,

This is Tambja tentaculata. I assume its presence on the large ascidian is a co-incidence, because although species of the related genus Nembrotha feed on ascidians, the species of Tambja which we have information for, all feed on bryozoans. However Tambja tentaculata is quite interesting because it is one of a small group of species of Tambja which have large flattened lobes on each side of the mouth, and we have no idea why they differ from other species in this way. As we don't know just what this species feeds on, these lobes could indicate a non-bryozoan feeding habit, so if anyone sees it feeding or has a photo of it apparently feeding, it would be interesting to hear from you..

Best wishes,
Bill Rudman

Rudman, W.B., 2008 (Oct 23). Comment on Tambja tentaculata from Raja Ampat, Indonesia by Fiona Kwok. [Message in] Sea Slug Forum. Australian Museum, Sydney. Available from http://www.seaslugforum.net/find/20789

Factsheet

Tambja tentaculata

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