Aldisa smaragdina

Aldisa smaragdina is a species of sea slug, a dorid nudibranch, a marine gastropod mollusk in the family Cadlinidae.

Distribution

This species was described from the Canary Islands. It has subsequently been reported from the Atlantic coast of Spain and from Portugal.

Description

This species has raised rounded tubercles covering the dorsum. There are two round markings on the back which are darker in colour. The animal grows to 30 mm in length.

Ecology

This nudibranch feeds on the hymedesmiid sponge Phorbas fictitius. The two darker round markings on the back of the animal closely resemble the inhalant pore sieves of Phorbas, providing excellent camouflage. A progesterone homologue has been isolated from this species.