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Berthella plumula

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Species of mollusc

Berthella plumula
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Mollusca
Class: Gastropoda
Order: Pleurobranchida
Family: Pleurobranchidae
Genus: Berthella
Species: B. plumula
Binomial name
Berthella plumula
(Montagu, 1803)
Synonyms
  • Bulla plumula Montagu, 1803
  • Berthella porosa Blainville, 1824
  • Cleanthus montagui Leach, 1847
  • Lamellaria kleciachi Brusina, 1866
  • Pleurobranchus brevifrons Philippi, 1844
  • Pleurobranchus fleuriausi d'Orbigny, 1837
  • Pleurobranchus perforatus Philippi, 1844
  • Sigaretus stomatellus Risso, 1826

Berthella plumula, commonly known as yellow-plumed sea slug, is a gastropod mollusc usually found on rocky coasts in the infralittoral zone and which can live up to 30m depth.

Description

Berthella plumula is an oval-shaped sea slug with an internal shell, which can be up to 30 mm (1.2 in) long. The body is up to 60 mm (2.4 in) and has a cream to orange colour and often displays reticulate markings. The head is flat and a large oral veil lies between the propodium and the mantle. The rhinophores are protruding and enrolled. The species has acid glands in the skin which secrete sulphuric acid for protection in case of danger.

Distribution

Berthella plumula is found in the north-eastern Atlantic, the Mediterranean Sea, the English Channel and the North Sea.

Behavior

Diet

Berthella plumula is a slow moving predator which scrapes its radula on rocks to feed on colonial ascidians of the genus Botryllus as well as on Oscarella sponges.

Reproduction

The species is hermaphrodite and the two individuals reciprocally fecundate each other by exchanging their sperm. The reproductive period occurs in spring. The laying is tube-shaped and the eggs are displayed in spiral.

Similar species

Berthella plumula can be confused with Berthella stellata, which is smaller and displays a small white mark on its back, and with Berthellina edwardsii, which is usually bigger and more red.

  • Three specimens of Berthella plumula in Pula, Croatia Three specimens of Berthella plumula in Pula, Croatia
  • Spiral eggs of Berthella plumula in Pula, Croatia Spiral eggs of Berthella plumula in Pula, Croatia
  • Yellow-plumed sea slug in Pula, Croatia Yellow-plumed sea slug in Pula, Croatia

References

  1. ^ Hayward, Peter; Nelson-Smith, Tony & Shields, Chris (2014). Guide des bords de mer : Mer du Nord, Manche, Atlantique, Méditerranée. Delachaux et Niestlé. ISBN 9782603020029. OCLC 882238836.
  2. ^ Hayward, Peter J.; Ryland, John S., eds. (2 February 2017). Handbook of the Marine Fauna of North-West Europe. doi:10.1093/acprof:oso/9780199549443.001.0001. ISBN 978-0-19-954944-3.
  3. "MarLIN – The Marine Life Information Network – Yellow-plumed sea slug (Berthella plumula)". www.marlin.ac.uk. Retrieved 25 February 2019.
  4. ^ "Berthella plumula | DORIS". doris.ffessm.fr. Retrieved 25 February 2019.
Taxon identifiers
Berthella plumula
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