Gold lace nudibranch
| Gold lace nudibranch | |
|---|---|
| Halgerda terramtuentis | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Mollusca |
| Class: | Gastropoda |
| Order: | Nudibranchia |
| Family: | Discodorididae |
| Genus: | Halgerda |
| Species: | H. terramtuentis
|
| Binomial name | |
| Halgerda terramtuentis Bertsch & Johnson, 1982[1]
| |
The gold lace nudibranch (Halgerda terramtuentis) is a species of sea slug, a dorid nudibranch, shell-less marine gastropod mollusks in the family Discodorididae.[2]
Description
Founded by Bertsch and Johnson in 1982, the Halgerda terramtuentis has an opaque white slug-like physique.[3] The body’s morphology includes a flat jelly-like texture, and solid yellowish-gold lines running throughout the mantle; located also at the edge of the muscular foot.[4] Their gills are of a whitish hue with black detailing similar to spots.[3] Additionally, the prominent white pustules emerge where the lines consistently cross.[4] The Nudibranch’s length ranges from 15 mm to 50 mm long.[3]
The Halgerda terramtuenti are hermaphrodites that mate within combat of one another.[5] The disadvantaged Nudibranchi’s mantle is then penetrated with reproductive material from the victor.[4] Following the life cycle, they lay groups of eggs coated in yellowish mucus, that develop into veliger larvae and subsequently, full-grown adults capable of reproduction.[6]
Distribution
In Eastern Central Pacific, the Halgerda terramtuentis is endemic to five major Hawaiian islands: Hawaiʻi, Maui, Lanaʻi, Oʻahu, and Kauaʻi; including the remote islands of Niʻihau and the French Frigate Shoals.[6] These sea slugs are found five to thirty meters underwater near overhanging rock foundations and underwater caves.[7][8]
References
- ^ Bertsch, H.; Johnson, S. (1982). "Three new species of dorid nudibranchs (Gastropoda: Opisthobranchia) from the Hawaiian Islands". The Veliger. 24 (3): 208–218.
- ^ Frýda, J.; Hausdorf, B.; Ponder, W.; Valdes, A.; Warén, A. (2005). Bouchet, P.; Rocroi, J.-P. (eds.). "Classification and nomenclator of gastropod families". Malacologia: International Journal of Malacology. 47 (1–2). Hackenheim, Germany: ConchBooks: 397. ISBN 3-925919-72-4. ISSN 0076-2997.
- ^ a b c "Nudibranch of the Week is Halgerda terramtuentis". slugsite.us. Archived from the original on 2023-06-09. Retrieved 2025-11-22.
- ^ a b c Rudman, W. B. (2010-07-15). "The Sea Slug Forum - Halgerda terramtuentis". www.seaslugforum.net. Retrieved 2025-11-22.
- ^ "Halgerda terramtuentis". www.sealifebase.se. Retrieved 2025-11-22.
- ^ a b "Halgerda terramtuentis: main page". seaslugsofhawaii.com. Retrieved 2025-11-22.
- ^ "Saeko S. Hayashi (PhD, 1987):", The Sky Is for Everyone, Princeton University Press, pp. 289–300, 2022-06-21, ISBN 978-0-691-23736-7, retrieved 2025-10-13
{{citation}}: CS1 maint: work parameter with ISBN (link) - ^ "Gold-lace Nudibranch, Halgerda terramtuentis". www.marinelifephotography.com. Retrieved 2025-10-13.