Limapontia capitata
(Muller, 1774)

Order: SACOGLOSSA
Superfamily: LIMAPONTIOIDEA
Family: Limapontiidae

DISTRIBUTION

European coast of north Atlantic from Iceland to the Mediterranean, Atlantic coast of Nth Africa.

PHOTO

Tjärnö, west coast of Sweden, from filamentous algae growing just below the water line on a floating jetty. Length about 2mm. November 2001. Photo: Mike Noren

Body-colour usually dark brown to black, with paler areas on either side of the head and sometimes in the middle of the dorsum. There are no rhinophores but Thompson (1976) describes a slightly rounded crest on each side of the head in adults. This is quite different from L. senestra where the head tentacles are distinct and digitiform in adults. The anal and renal openings are situated close together, postero-dorsally in the midline. Grows to 8mm but usually smaller, living in intertidal pools and shallow water. Feeds on filamentous green algae (Bryopsis, Cladophora, Enteromorpha).

References:
• Muller, O.F. (1774) Vermium terredtrium et fluviatilium Havniae & Lipsiae. Vol 2.
• Thompson,T.E. (1976) Biology of Opisthobranch Molluscs. Volume 1. The Ray Society, London. 207pp.

Authorship details
Rudman, W.B., 2004 (March 9) Limapontia capitata (Muller, 1774). [In] Sea Slug Forum. Australian Museum, Sydney. Available from http://www.seaslugforum.net/factsheet/limacapi

Copyright © Australian Museum, 1998-2010