Armina babai
(Tchang-Si, 1934)
Order: NUDIBRANCHIA
Suborder: ARMININA
Family: Arminidae
DISTRIBUTION
China, Japan, Pakistan
PHOTO
intertidal flats, Changi, Singapore. Photo: Ria Tan.
One of the few arminids with a relatively smooth mantle, lacking longitudinal ridges or other form of ornamentation. Body translucent whitish grey, with pinkish viscera sometimes showing through. Yellowish brown smudges sometimes visible around mantle edge. Grows to 50mm long.
References:
• Jensen, K.R. (1997) The Arminidae (Mollusca: Opisthobranchia) of Hong Kong. In: The Marine Flora and Fauna of Hong Kong and Southern China 4. Proceedings of the Eighth International Marine Biological Workshop: The Marine Flora and Fauna of Hong Kong and Southern China, Hong Kong. (Ed: Morton, B.) Hong Kong University Press, Hong Kong, 160-187.
• Kazmi, Q.B., & Tirmizi, N.M. (1997) On two species of Armina: A. babai (Tchang-Si, 1934) and A. punctilopsis Lin, 1992 (Gastropoda, Opisthobranchia) from Pakistani coasts of the Indian Ocean with a note on egg ribbons of A. babai. Vita Marina, 44(3-4): 51-59.
• Tchang, S. 1934. Contribution a l'etude des opisthobranches de la cote de Tsingtao. Contributions from the Institute of Zoology, National Academy of Peiping, 2(2): 1-148, pls. 1-16.
Rudman, W.B., 2003 (January 30) Armina babai (Tchang-Si, 1934). [In] Sea Slug Forum. Australian Museum, Sydney. Available from http://www.seaslugforum.net/find/armibaba
Related messages
Armina babai? from Changi, Singapore.
February 5, 2003
From: Ria Tan
Dear Bill,
As well as the sea slugs from Chek Jawa, we have also found some other animals on the intertidal flats at Changi, here in Singapore. Anything you can tell us about them would be very interesting.
Best wishes,
Ria Tan
tanria@singnet.com.sg
Tan, R., 2003 (Feb 5) Armina babai? from Changi, Singapore.. [Message in] Sea Slug Forum. Australian Museum, Sydney. Available from http://www.seaslugforum.net/find/9108Dear Ria,
This is Armina babai. Species of Armina usually feed on Sea Pens [Pennatulacea], which are very specialised cnidarians. Arminids tend to burrow in sand or mud during the day, emerging at night to feed. However some species seem to feed on soft corals, a closely related group of cnidarians.
Best wishes,
Bill Rudman