Life on a leaf: 3D-reconstruction and description of a new limapontiid sacoglossan (Gastropoda: Heterobranchia: 'Opisthobranchia') living on the seagrass Halophila ovalis
2014
Sap-sucking
sea slugs,
Sacoglossa, are almost all
suctorialherbivores feeding on siphonalean
green algae.
Ercolaniais probably the most species-rich genus in the family
Limapontiidae, containing at least 25 species, most of which feed on filamentous
green algaeof the order
Cladophorales. Here we describe an ewErcolania species from the Andaman Sea coast of Thailand. The species is very small, generally less than 1 mm long in sexually mature animals. It is found exclusively on the leaves of the
seagrass
Halophila ovalisand accordingly we name it
Ercolania
halophilaen. sp. Anatomy and histology have been studied by serial sectioning and 3D-reconstruction. This is the first limapontioid species studied in full 3D-microanatomical detail.
Ercolania
halophilaeshows several special features. A heart and
pericardiumare absent, as is also seen in a few other species of
Sacoglossa. Salivary glands are very prominent and unequal on left and right sides. There is a system of highly vacuolated cells situated along the main digestive gland tubules. Those cells are apparently associated with the kidney and we assume that they are involved in excretion. Radular teeth are
sabot-shaped and more similar in shape to those of the enigmatic Japanese Alderiopsis nigra than to any known species of
Ercolania. The reproductive system is typical limapontiid, with a closed seminal receptacle, a penetrant penial
styletand a bilobed prostate gland. Branches of the albumen gland enter the
cerata, as seen in some but not all species presently referred to
Ercolania. We therefore place the species in
Ercolaniarather than the poorly defined Alderiopsis. We briefly compare limapontiid genera and show that revision is needed.
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