Leminda

Leminda
the frilled nudibranch, Leminda millecra
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Mollusca
Class: Gastropoda
Subclass: Heterobranchia

clade Euthyneura
clade Nudipleura
clade Nudibranchia
clade Dexiarchia
clade Cladobranchia

Superfamily: Metarminoidea
Family: Charcotiidae
Genus: Leminda
Griffiths, 1985[1]

Leminda is a genus of nudibranchs in the family Charcotiidae.[2] The one species in this genus of marine gastropod molluscs has so far only been found around the South African coast.

Taxonomy

Leminda has been considered as the only genus in the family Lemindidae Griffiths, 1985. Leminda is the type genus of the family Lemindidae.[3]

Lemindidae has been classified as a synonym of the Charcotiidae in the taxonomy of Bouchet & Rocroi (2005).[2]

Description

A close-up photograph showing the branching digestive system in the mantle margin

The body of these animals is robust and elevated, and has a velum, or anterior veil. The margin of the mantle is expanded and waving and is held above the body. The foot is large and well-developed. The rhinophores are smooth and retract into smooth small sheaths. The radula is broad and arranged in multiple series with hook-shaped teeth. The digestive gland branches extensively into the mantle margin. The animal has no eyes. A bag used in copulation opens between the male and female reproductive openings[1]

Etymology

The genus name comes from an adaptation of the describing author's daughter's name.

Species

There is only one species of Leminda described, the type species Leminda millecra Griffiths, 1985 from southern South Africa.

References

  1. 1 2 Griffiths R.J. (1985). "Description of a new South African Arminacean and the proposed re-instatement of the genus Atthila Bergh (Mollusca, Opisthobranchia)". Ann. S. Afr. Mus. 95(7).
  2. 1 2 Bouchet P., Rocroi J.-P., Frýda J., Hausdorf B., Ponder W., Valdés Á. & Warén A. (2005). "Classification and nomenclator of gastropod families". Malacologia: International Journal of Malacology (Hackenheim, Germany: ConchBooks) 47 (1-2): 1–397. ISBN 3-925919-72-4. ISSN 0076-2997.
  3. ↑ Bouchet, P. (2014). Leminda Griffiths, 1985. Accessed through: World Register of Marine Species at http://www.marinespecies.org/aphia.php?p=taxdetails&id=570834 on 2015-02-15
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