Flabellina affinis

Flabellina affinis

Referred Flabellina affinis, on German as Violet Fadenschnecke (but are still more species of that name referred to ) is one occurring in the Mediterranean marine slug of Nudibranchia.

Features

The body of Flabellina affinis has a light violet color. The tips of the Cerata (back yarns ) are also purple, but usually darker than the body. Especially in the lower two -thirds of shimmering branches of the digestive gland orange. The Cerata are club-shaped dorsal appendages containing the foothills of the midgut glands and are symmetrically arranged. Moreover, these projections respiratory function are attributed. They are arranged in two longitudinal rows of eight groups. The two sensors on top of the head ( rhinophores ) have a corrugated surface, in contrast to the smooth Cerata. The rhinophores are about the same as the oral tentacles. They are used, along with other features, as a distinguishing feature to the other Flabellina species. The rhinophores are primarily for chemotaxis and the flow feeling. The jaws consist of a short and stout Kaufortsatz, with a series of closely standing and pointed conical teeth. The base of Kaufortsatzes has at least 5 rows of teeth.

Dissemination

It is native throughout the Mediterranean. The distribution is in the Eastern Atlantic from Spain to Portugal to Ghana, including the Canary Islands.

Reproduction and occurrence

The hermaphrodite worm can propagate throughout the year and wraps her nest to tree- like Hydrozoenkolonien the genus Eudendrium. On these it is also most commonly found. The spawning ropes are pink or pale purple-violet. The coloring of the eggs ranges from light pink, light purple to purple-violet. The size of the eggs is 0.08 mm to 0.09 mm. Spawning takes place from March to October. At a water temperature of 20 ° Celsius hatch after 5 days free-swimming veliger. If the water temperature around 16 ° Celsius, this happens after 8 days. They occur in water depths of up to about 50 m, most commonly at a depth of 20-30 m. Individuals of this type can be up to 5 cm in size.

Kleptocniden

Stinging cells are formed only by representatives of the tribe of Cnidarians ( Cnidaria ). Flabellina affinis feeds on Hydroidenkolonien, possibly exclusively by Eudendrium species. Here Flabellina affinis eats exclusively polyp head. The nematocysts of the prey animals are intact absorbed from the intestine and stored in the threads on the back and used to defend against predators.

Possible confusion

The violet Coryphella ( Flabellina pedata ) is very similar to the Flabellina affinis in terms of size, shape and color. The main distinguishing feature is the white ends of the back threads and their smooth rhinophores.

Hunting and

Due to the special entertainment needs, particularly in the food, the species is unsuitable for the aquarium trade. There are commercially available or are bred and not animals.