Peltodoris (Discodoris) atromaculata (Dotted sea slug)

Discodoris atromaculata. Most authors now consider it to be a species of Discodoris, but some, like Avila consider there are anatomical features which distinguish it from that genus. Thompson (1985) describes a cline in colour pattern from west to east in Mediterranean, with specimens in the eastern Mediterranean having proportionally more dark brown/black pigment on the mantle than specimens from the western end. Valdes (2002) considers Peltodoris to be anatomically distinct from Discodoris. Since Peltodoris atromaculata is the type species of the genus it is illogical to retain it in Discodoris.

Dorididae

In Greek mythology Doris is a marine nymph; the dorididae are named after it. Atro- from the Latin ater = black; maculata (from Latin maculatus = spotted). Disco- from the Greek diskos = round. Discodoris atromaculata = a round dorid with black spots. Pelto- from Latin pellis = skin, hide.

It can grow to approx 120mm in length.

Hermaphrodite.

Endemic in the Mediterranean sea. It feeds on the sponge Petrosia ficiformis (Poiret) and spends much of its time on the sponge. It accumulates natural chemical products, such as petroformynes, from the sponge and stores them in its digestive gland. It is able to autotomise parts of its mantle skirt but defence seems to rely on its spiculate mantle and disruptive colouration rather then defensive secretions, as the mantle secretions have been shown to have a neutral ph.

1.023-1.032

18^o-26^oC

Not reported / unknown.

Not reported / unknown.

None known to-date. It appears the animal can be removed without any impact on its environment. This animal is a specialized feeder, which needs the presence of the particular sponge it feeds on in the aquarium.

Not recommended for aquaria due to feeding specialization.                                

Not recommended for aquaria due to feeding specialization.

Not recommended for aquaria due to feeding specialization.

Not recommended for aquaria due to feeding specialization.

Not recommended for aquaria due to feeding specialization.

Discodoris atromaculata is more common on the North Aegean Sea (Saros Bay) along the Turkish coasts, where the density of sea water ranges between 1.023-1.026. It is probably not a problem to acclimatize this species to tropical 1.025, but it is extremely difficult to keep its food sponge, Petrosia ficiformis, alive in an aquarium. It has been observed that this sponge is common only in certain locations in the Aegean and Mediterranean Turkish coasts, which suggests some specific environmental conditions are needed. The basic principle for keeping nudibranchs in captivity is to ensure their food can survive in the same conditions which is not the case for P. atromaculata. 

Not reported / unknown. Lays ribbons of whitish / yellow eggs.