Kikutaro Baba's Cyerce
Cyerce kikutarobabai
In this species, the flattened cerata are somewhat inflated. The body is translucent white with a distinctive purple colouring on the head, including the rhinophores and oral tentacles, and on the cerata. The purple colour on the cerata gradually fades towards the base. The head and tentacles have a pattern of white spots. On the cerata both the upper and lower surfaces have large translucent white spots, each containing a central opaque white or yellow spot. At the tip of the cerata there is a distinctive orange or yellow line border. The body has a distinctive green tinge from the ingested algal food.
Morphology
The main external difference between Polybranchia and Cyerce, is that in Cyerce the sole of the foot has a transverse groove behind the head which is absent in Polybranchia.
Evolution
Little is known about the relationship of this species to other members of the genus.
Method of reproduction
Sexual, hermaphrodites
Habitat
Marine
Distribution
This is a widespread Indo-west Pacific species. In Australia, it is known from approximately the Dampier, Western Australia to New South Wales.
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
|---|---|
| Phylum: | Mollusca |
| Class: | Gastropoda |
| Subclass: | Heterobranchia |
| Order: | Nudibranchia |
| Suborder: | Plakobranchacea |
| Superfamily: | Limapontioidea |
| Family: | Caliphyllidae |
| Genus: | Cyerce |
| Species: | kikutarobabai |
| Name Published Year: | 1976 |
|---|---|
| Scientific Name Authorship: | Hamatani |
| Conservation Assessment: | Least Concern |
Cite this page
Western Australian Museum Collections https://museum.wa.gov.au/online-collections/names/cyerce-kikutarobabai
Accessed 13 Aug 2024
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