PORT PHILLIP BAY


Sap-sucking Sea Slug 

Ascobulla fischeri (Adams & Angas, 1864)

View scientific description and taxonomy

Scientific Details

Sacoglossa group detail.
These molluscs are characterised by buccal morphology. Shell when present is thin and situated over visceral mass, animal often much larger than shell. Shell-less animals with projecting often wavy fold (parapodium, plural parapodia) along each side of body (Plakobranchidae), or with leaf-like or carrot-shaped cerata along each side of body. One pair of tentacles (rhinophores) on head.

Source: Burn, R. (2006) A checklist and bibliography of the Opisthobranchia (Mollusca: Gastropoda) of Victoria and the Bass Strait area, south-eastern Australia. Museum Victoria Science Reports 10: 1-42.

Taxonomy

Phylum:
Mollusca
Subphylum:
Conchifera
Superclass:
Visceroconcha
Class:
Gastropoda
Subclass:
Orthogastropoda
Superorder:
Heterobranchia
Order:
Opisthobranchia
Suborder:
Sacoglossa
Superfamily:
Oxynooidea
Family:
Volvatellidae
Genus:
Ascobulla
Species:
fischeri

General Description

Body shape slug-like with shell. Gill structures internal. Pattern includes shades or colours of yellow and/or white. Animal up to 2 cm long, shell up to 1 cm across.

Biology

These animals give-off a white discharge when disturbed.

Habitat

Associated with the root system of Caulerpa seaweeds, to depth of 15 m.

Coastal shores

Reefs

Distribution guide

Southern Australia.

Species Group

Nudibranchs and allies › Sap-sucking sea slugs

Depth

Shore (0-1 m)
Shallow (1-30 m)

Water Column

On or near sea floor

Max Size

2 cm

Diet

Herbivore

Commercial Species

No

Global Dispersal

Native to Australia

Identify

Conservation Status

  • DSE Advisory List : Not listed
  • EPBC Act 1999 : Not listed
  • IUCN Red List : Not listed

Author

article author Burn, R.

Robert Burn is an Honorary Associate at Museum Victoria with expertise in Molluscs.

Author

article author Wilson, R.

Robin Wilson is a Senior Curator of marine invertebrates at Museum Victoria.

citation

Cite this page as:
Burn, R. & Wilson, R., 2011, Sap-sucking Sea Slug, Ascobulla fischeri, in Taxonomic Toolkit for marine life of Port Phillip Bay, Museum Victoria, accessed 25 Feb 2025, http://136.154.202.208:8098/species/4872

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