Pteraeolidia ianthina
(Angas,1864)

Order: NUDIBRANCHIA
Suborder: AEOLIDINA
Family: Glaucidae

DISTRIBUTION

Throughout the tropical and subtropical Indo-West Pacific.

PHOTO

Upper: White juvenile animal without symbiotic zooxanthellae and larger brown animal in which symbiotic zooxanthellae are nurtured in ducts of the digestive gland both in the cerata and the body wall. Lower: Adult Pteraeolidia feeding on the solitary hydroid Ralpharia which is its preferred adult food. Coffs Harbour Region, New South Wales, Australia, December 1990. Photos:  Bill Rudman.

RELATED TOPIC

Solar-powered Sea Slugs

Pteraeolidia ianthina, commonly known as the 'Blue Dragon' by divers in eastern Australia, is one of a group of remarkable aeolid nudibranchs which are way ahead of man in harnessing solar energy. Pteraeolidia has evolved a method of capturing and farming microscopic plants (zooxanthellae) in its own body. The plants flourish in this protected environment and as they convert the sun's energy into sugars, they pass a significant proportion on to the nudibranch for its own use. The white animal is a juvenile which as not yet developed its crop of zooxanthellae. If this species is similar to others that have been studied then it must obtain its first "injection" of zooxanthellae by feeding on a hydroid with symbiotic zooxanthellae. White juveniles are usually found in lush growths of short "turfing" hydroids, but until now no sign of zooxanthellae has been found in the hydroids. Adults can last some time without feeding, presumably obtaining sufficient nourishment from their zooxanthellae gardens. The large solitary hydroid is the preferred adult food.

• See Yoshi Hirano's message about egg-laying.

  • Angas, G.F. (1864). Description d'espèces nouvelles appartenant à plusieurs genres de Mollusques Nudibranches des environs de Port-Jackson (Nouvelles-Galles du Sud), accompagnée de dessins faits d'après nature. Journal de Conchyliologie, 12: 43-70.
Authorship details
Rudman, W.B., 1998 (October 11) Pteraeolidia ianthina (Angas,1864). [In] Sea Slug Forum. Australian Museum, Sydney. Available from http://www.seaslugforum.net/factsheet.cfm?base=pteriant

Related messages

  1. Pteraeolidia ianthina: looks like something everted
    From: Roland Bircher, August 13, 2008
  2. Pteraeolidia ianthina from the Philippines
    From: Carrie Lo, July 28, 2008
  3. Pteraeolidia ianthina (?) from Mozambique
    From: Natasja Vandeperre, September 20, 2007
  4. Pteraeolidia ianthina from Port Noarlunga, SA
    From: Stephen J. Reynolds, January 16, 2007
  5. New feeding record for Pteraeolidia ianthina
    From: Bruce Wilkie, December 5, 2006
  6. Pteraeolidia ianthina from Sipadan trip
    From: Charles Rowe, July 21, 2006
  7. Pteraeolidia ianthina from Bali
    From: Kevin Lee, July 13, 2006
  8. Re: Closer look at Pteraeolidia ianthina's head
    From: Carol Yin, June 3, 2006
  9. Closer look at Pteraeolidia ianthina's head
    From: Erwin Kodiat, February 7, 2006
  10. Nudibranch - The Blue Dragon
    From: Aisha. E, February 2, 2006
  11. Re: I need Pteraeolidia ianthina
    From: Makiko Yorifuji, December 13, 2005
  12. Re: I need Pteraeolidia ianthina
    From: Albert Jeffers, October 6, 2005
  13. I need Pteraeolidia ianthina
    From: Albert B Jeffers, October 4, 2005
  14. Pteraeolidia ianthina from Malaysia
    From: Umut Tural, September 10, 2005
  15. Pteraeolidia ianthina from West Malaysia
    From: Ho Wei Kwok Alvin, June 2, 2005
  16. Pteraeolidia ianthina from Reunion Island
    From: Philibert Bidgrain, March 1, 2005
  17. Pteraeolidia ianthina from Bali
    From: Rainer Mau, February 23, 2005
  18. Thank you
    From: Toshiko Tani, December 31, 2004
  19. Sea Slug or Centipede?
    From: Toshiko Tani, December 30, 2004
  20. Juvenile Pteraeolidia ianthina from Philippines
    From: Matthias Huerlimann, December 30, 2004
  21. Pteraeolidia ianthina from Sth Africa
    From: Riaan Marx, February 21, 2004
  22. Juvenile Pteraeolidia ianthina
    From: Frank Weber, February 1, 2004
  23. Pteraeolidia ianthina from Indonesia
    From: Dana Africa, January 30, 2004
  24. Pteraeolidia ianthina laying eggs - Nelson Bay
    From: Dave Harasti, December 20, 2003
  25. Pteraeolidia ianthina from Malaysia
    From: Asther M. Lau, May 24, 2003
  26. Pteraeolidia ianthina with eggs
    From: Leanne & David Atkinson, April 5, 2003
  27. Pteraeolidia ianthina mating
    From: Mary Jane Adams, March 25, 2003
  28. Pteraeolidia ianthina from North Sulawesi
    From: Marli Wakeling, October 13, 2002
  29. Pteraeolida ianthina from Red Sea
    From: Michael Mrutzek, September 27, 2002
  30. Juvenile Pteraeolidia ianthina? from Tioman
    From: Maliza Anuar, July 31, 2002
  31. Pteraeolidia ianthina? from Tioman
    From: Maliza Anuar, July 30, 2002
  32. Pteraeolidia from Tioman, Malaysia
    From: Maliza Anuar, July 16, 2002
  33. Pteraeolidia ianthina from Philippines
    From: Stewart L. Sy, June 2, 2002
  34. Pteraeolidia from Papua New Guinea
    From: Marli Wakeling, October 10, 2001
  35. Pteraeolidia ianthina from NE Sulawesi
    From: Jim Anderson, September 22, 2001
  36. Pteraeolidia ianthina from Sagami Bay
    From: Nishina Masayoshi, August 23, 2001
  37. Pteraeolidia ianthina from Indonesia
    From: Yasman, December 24, 2000
  38. Pteraeolidia - brooding eggs
    From: Akos Lumnitzer, June 2, 2000
  39. White Pteraeolidia ianthina from South Africa
    From: Valda Fraser, March 10, 2000
  40. Pteraeolidia ianthina from Hawaii
    From: Anne Dupont, December 22, 1999
  41. Forms of Pteraeolidia ianthina
    From: C. Carlson & P.J. Hoff, December 10, 1999
  42. Feeding? Pteraeolidia from Vanuatu
    From: Vinka Stenhouse, November 21, 1999
  43. An 'elastic' aeolid from South Africa
    From: Valda Fraser, November 20, 1999
  44. Re: Pteraeolidia from Sydney
    From: Max Gillies, August 18, 1999
  45. Re: Pteraeolidia from Sydney
    From: Betsey Hansen, August 18, 1999
  46. Pteraeolidia from Sydney
    From: Betsey Hansen, August 8, 1999
  47. Pteraeolidia juvenile?
    From: Erwin Koehler, February 24, 1999

Show factsheet and all related messages

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