Phyllidiopsis shireenae

Phyllidiopsis shireenae
Phyllidiopsis shireenae
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Mollusca
Class: Gastropoda
Order: Nudibranchia
Family: Phyllidiidae
Genus: Phyllidiopsis
Species:
P. shireenae
Binomial name
Phyllidiopsis shireenae

Phyllidiopsis shireenae is a species of sea slug, a dorid nudibranch, a shell-less marine gastropod mollusk in the family Phyllidiidae of the order Doridida.[1][2][3] Its common names are Shireen’s Phyllidiopsis, Shireen’s Phyllidiopsis Sea Slug, Shirin Sea Slug, and Crested Wart Slug.[4]

It was first described by Brunckhorst in 1990 from specimens collected in the tropical western Pacific.[2] Like other members of the Phyllidiidae family, it is characterized by its firm, flattened body with raised dorsal tubercles, a lack of dorsal gills, an absent radula associated with sponge-feeding behavior, and brightly colored bodies.[3][5] The species can be distinguished from related taxa by its dorsal morphology and salmon pink rhinophore coloration.[2][3][6] P. shireenae is distributed across the Indo-Pacific region and is typically associated with coral reef habitats.[3][6][7]

Taxonomy

Phyllidiopsis shireenae was formally described by Brunckhorst (1990) as a part of a revision of the genus Phyllidiopsis,[3] a group of dorid nudibranchs characterized by their dorsal tubercles and reduced internal anatomy.[2][5] The species belongs to the phylum Mollusca and class Gastropoda, within the order Doridida, part of the superorder Nudipleura, and the family Phyllidiidae.[4] Members of this family are sponge-feeding nudibranchs that lack a radula and dorsal gills and instead use a specialized suctorial feeding apparatus.[3][2]

Recent taxonomic studies have confirmed the placement of P. shireenae within the genus Phyllidiopsis and identified which traits distinguish them from closely related species, including their mid-dorsal crest and rhinophore coloration.[3][2] Scientists have further confirmed the placement and history of P. shireenae through molecular phylogeny studies[8][9] and through examining their chemical ecology.[3][10] P. shireenae has been differentiated from other species both morphologically and phylogenetically.[8][9][2]

Description

Dorsal view of P. shireenae. Shows tubercles and coloration.

Phyllidiopsis shireenae exhibits the characteristic morphology of phyllidiid nudibranchs, with a firm, elongate body.[3][2] It is covered in rounded, angular tubercles on its dorsal surface, giving them the nickname Wart nudibranchs.[2] Their overall coloration can be pale pink, white, or grey.[2] They have dark colored markings and a bluish undertone.[2][5] The dark colored markings are usually black lines that run longitudinally along their bodies.[2] Their coloration and patterns can be used as a defense mechanism called aposematic signaling which warns predators of toxicity.[5]

P. shireenae rhinophores. Salmon-pink coloration.

P. shireenae has chemosensory organs including rhinophores and lamellate structures.[2] Rhinophores are the sensory organs located on a nudibranch’s head.[3][2] P. shireenae is distinguished from other species by the salmon-pink color of their rhinophores.[2] Their lamellate structures help them to detect food and mates, and to sense chemicals in their environment.[3][2] P. shireenae has a thick body and mantle and their ventral surface is adapted to support them crawling along reef substrates.[3][2] Phyllidiopsis shireenae is characterized by their high mid-dorsal crest.[2]

Like other members of Phyllidiidae, P. shireenae are specialized sponge-feeders which is why they lack a radula.[3][2] Instead, they feed on sponges using external digestion and suction with a specialized feeding apparatus and muscular pharynx.[3][2] They also lack dorsal gills.[3][2] Phyllidiidae are distinct from other dorid nudibranchs because they have secondary gill leaflets under the mantle.[2][3]

Distribution and habitat

P. shireenae in coral reef habitat.

Phyllidiopsis shireenae is found in tropical regions in the Indo-Pacific.[2] There have been documented sightings in Indonesia, the Philippines, India, and East Africa.[6][7][3] Specifically, the species lives in coral reef ecosystems in tropical marine regions.[6] They have been recorded on reef substrates including sponges and bryozoans.[10][3]

P. shireenae has a varying depth range and can be found in shallow waters and subtidal zones as well as in moderately deep depths.[6][5][3] It is thought that their depth is dependent on environmental conditions and prey availability.[5] Phyllidiids are often found on or near sponges.[3][6]

Ecology

P. shireenae on substrate with sponge prey.

Phyllidiopsis shireenae are spongivorous and have a specialized feeding method.[3][2] They feed on sponges, consistent with all Phyllidiids.[3] P. shireenae has a modified foregut and uses external digestion and suction to feed.[2] They release digestive fluids to soften the sponge and then suck the softened tissue which is pumped into their muscular pharynx.[2] This specialized feeding strategy contributes to nutrient cycling and benefits coral reef ecosystems.[5]

P. shireenae is considered to be an indicator of marine biodiversity in Indonesia and other regions.[6][11] High species diversity is crucial to ecotourism and ecological stability.[11][7] The species can be indicators of coral reef ecosystem health because of their sensitivity to changes in environmental conditions like pollution, temperature, and disturbances.[7][11]

Chemical ecology

P. shireenae bright coloration.

Phyllidiopsis shireenae protect themselves by utilizing chemical defenses and bright coloration as deterrents.[10][3][5] Bioactive compounds can be produced from symbiotic microorganisms in sponges which P. shireenae and other species in the group can accumulate.[10][12][3] When P. shireenae and other members of Phyllidiidae feed on noxious sponges, they take in chemicals from them and store these compounds in their tissues.[10][3] They can modify these chemical compounds to use as defense, producing odorous secretions that can be lethal to crustaceans and fish.[3]

In addition to obtaining toxic compounds through feeding on sponges,[3] research has found that Phyllidiids can possess symbiotic bacteria that creates bioactive compounds which can be used for defense.[10][12] The symbiotic bacteria in Phyllidiopsis shireenae can help protect the organisms by making them toxic or foul-tasting to predators and helping to fight infections.[10][12]

Phyllidiids, including P. shireenae, also use their thick bodies as defense because they have a mass of spicules for support which makes it difficult for predators to eat them.[3][2]

Phyllidiopsis shireenae has a bright coloration, which serves as a warning to predators, a process called aposematic signaling.[5][2]

Phylogeny and evolution

Phylogeny studies have furthered the understanding of how species in Phyllidiidae are related and how they evolved using DNA.[8][9] Species in Phyllidiopsis can look similar, but DNA studies have clarified which species are closely related or not despite morphology.[8][9]

DNA studies including P. shireenae have confirmed where they belong in the phylogenetic tree.[9] Phylogeny studies have also clarified the evolutionary history of P. shireenae[8] and linked evolutionary relationships between P. shireenae and other species in Phyllidiopsis.[8][9]

Species in Phyllidiopsis evolved differently based on environmental factors which affect depth, prey, and coloration.[5][8][9] P. shireenae and other species in the genus use niche differentiation to avoid competition with close relatives.[5][8][9]

References

  1. ↑ Bouchet, P. (2010). Phyllidiopsis shireenae Brunckhorst, 1990. Accessed through: World Register of Marine Species at http://www.marinespecies.org/aphia.php?p=taxdetails&id=536717 on 2010-12-28
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 BRUNCKHORST, D.J. (1990-11-01). "DESCRIPTION OF A NEW SPECIES OF PHYLLIDIOPSIS BERGH (NUDIBRANCHIA: DORIDOIDEA: PHYLLIDIIDAE) FROM THE TROPICAL WESTERN PACIFIC, WITH COMMENTS ON THE ATLANTIC SPECIES". Journal of Molluscan Studies. 56 (4): 577–584. doi:10.1093/mollu (inactive 27 April 2026). ISSN 0260-1230. Archived from the original on 13 May 2024.{{cite journal}}: CS1 maint: DOI inactive as of April 2026 (link)
  3. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 Papu, Adelfia; Bogdanov, Alexander; Bara, Robert; Kehraus, Stefan; König, Gabriele M.; Yonow, Nathalie; Wägele, Heike (2022-09-01). "Phyllidiidae (Nudibranchia, Heterobranchia, Gastropoda): an integrative taxonomic approach including chemical analyses". Organisms Diversity & Evolution. 22 (3): 585–629. Bibcode:2022ODivE..22..585P. doi:10.1007/s13127-021-00535-7. ISSN 1618-1077.
  4. 1 2 "WoRMS - World Register of Marine Species - Phyllidiopsis shireenae Brunckhorst, 1990". www.marinespecies.org. Retrieved 2026-04-26.
  5. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 Valdés, Á. (2001-09-01). "Depth-related adaptations, speciation processes and evolution of color in the genus Phyllidiopsis (Mollusca: Nudibranchia)". Marine Biology. 139 (3): 485–496. doi:10.1007/s002270100596. ISSN 1432-1793.
  6. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Undap, Nani; Papu, Adelfia; Schillo, Dorothee; Ijong, Frans Gruber; Kaligis, Fontje; Lepar, Meita; Hertzer, Cora; Böhringer, Nils; König, Gabriele M.; Schäberle, Till F.; Wägele, Heike (2019-09-17). "First Survey of Heterobranch Sea Slugs (Mollusca, Gastropoda) from the Island Sangihe, North Sulawesi, Indonesia". Diversity. 11 (9): 170. Bibcode:2019Diver..11..170U. doi:10.3390/d11090170. ISSN 1424-2818.
  7. 1 2 3 4 Sreeraj, C.R.; Rajan, P.T.; Raghuraman, R.; Raghunathan, C.; Rajkumar Rajan, R.; Immanuel, Titus; Ramakrishna (2010). "Recent Trends in Biodiversity of Andaman and Nicobar Islands Chapter-24". Zoological Survey of India, Andaman and Nicobar Regional Centre. Retrieved February 23, 2026.
  8. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 Ni, Gang; Li, Zhehao; Chen, Zhi; Yang, Chaojie; Zhang, Yajian; Zeng, Xiaoqi (2024-12-01). "Characterization and phylogenetic implications of the mitochondrial genomes of the Phyllidiidae (Gastropoda, Nudibranchia) from the South China Sea". Coral Reefs. 43 (6): 1761–1773. Bibcode:2024CorRe..43.1761N. doi:10.1007/s00338-024-02574-w. ISSN 1432-0975.
  9. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 Stoffels, Bart E. M. W.; van der Meij, Sancia E. T.; Hoeksema, Bert W.; van Alphen, Joris; van Alen, Theo; Meyers-Muñoz, Maria Angelica; de Voogd, Nicole J.; Tuti, Yosephine; van der Velde, Gerard (2016). "Phylogenetic relationships within the Phyllidiidae (Opisthobranchia, Nudibranchia)". ZooKeys (605): 1–35. Bibcode:2016ZooK..605....1S. doi:10.3897/zookeys.605.7136. ISSN 1313-2989. PMC 4978068. PMID 27551210.
  10. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Kristiana, Rhesi; Bedoux, Gilles; Pals, Gerard; Mudianta, I. Wayan; Taupin, Laure; Marty, Christel; Asagabaldan, Meezan Ardhanu; Ayuningrum, Diah; Trianto, Agus; Bourgougnon, Nathalie; Radjasa, Ocky Karna; Sabdono, Agus; Hanafi, Muhammad (2020-01-02). "Bioactivity of compounds secreted by symbiont bacteria of Nudibranchs from Indonesia". PeerJ. 8 e8093. doi:10.7717/peerj.8093. ISSN 2167-8359. PMC 6942679. PMID 31915568.
  11. 1 2 3 Ampou, Eghbert Elvan; Triyulianti, Iis; Pradisty, Novia Arinda; Widagti, Nuryani; Swastana, I. Gede Adi; Mariasa, I. Putu Mangku (2023). "Sea bunnies as a potential marine ecotourism in sumberkima, Buleleng Regency, Bali". E3S Web of Conferences. 442: 01006. Bibcode:2023E3SWC.44201006A. doi:10.1051/e3sconf/202344201006. ISSN 2267-1242.
  12. 1 2 3 Eisenbarth, Jan-Hendrik; Undap, Nani; Papu, Adelfia; Schillo, Dorothee; Dialao, Jobel; Reumschüssel, Sven; Kaligis, Fontje; Bara, Robert; Schäberle, Till; König, Gabriele; Yonow, Nathalie; Wägele, Heike (2018-12-04). "Marine Heterobranchia (Gastropoda, Mollusca) in Bunaken National Park, North Sulawesi, Indonesia—A Follow-Up Diversity Study". Diversity. 10 (4): 127. Bibcode:2018Diver..10..127E. doi:10.3390/d10040127. ISSN 1424-2818.
  • Brunckhorst, D.J. (1993) The systematics and phylogeny of Phyllidiid Nudibranchs (Doridoidea). Records of the Australian Museum, Supplement 16: 1–107.
This page is issued from Wikipedia. The text is available under Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 4.0 unless otherwise noted. Additional terms may apply for the media files.