PORT PHILLIP BAY


Nudibranch 

Ceratosoma brevicaudatum Abraham, 1876

View scientific description and taxonomy

Scientific Details

Nudibranchia group detail.
Mantle (dorsal surface) with pair of rhinophores anteriorly. Gills as a cluster posteriorly, or laterally, or laterally below mantle overhang.

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:
Nudibranchia
Infraorder:
Doridina
Superfamily:
Doridoidea
Family:
Chromodorididae
Genus:
Ceratosoma
Species:
brevicaudatum

Other Names

  • Short-tailed Sea Slug

General Description

Body shape slug-like with gill structures visible as a single cluster on back of the animal. Pattern includes shades or colours of white, orange and/or red. Similar to Ceratosoma amoenum but C. brevicaudatum is a longer, higher, and more solid. Animal up to 12 cm long.

Biology

This is Victoria's biggest and most common nudibranch. It feeds on sponges.

Habitat

Intertidal to deeper waters, to depth of 120 m.

Reefs

Sponge gardens

Coastal shores

Distribution guide

Southern Australia.

Species Group

Nudibranchs and allies Nudibranchs

Depth

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

Water Column

On or near sea floor

Max Size

12 cm

Diet

Carnivore

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, Nudibranch, Ceratosoma brevicaudatum, in Taxonomic Toolkit for marine life of Port Phillip Bay, Museum Victoria, accessed 29 Mar 2024, http://136.154.202.208:8098/species/10614

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