v13i2.339

ISSN: 1800-427X (printed)
eISSN: 1800-427X (online)
DOI:10.47605/tapro.v13i2.339

Submitted date: 1 November 2023
Accepted date: 31 October 2024
Published date: 10 December 2024
Pp. 134–135.

A neustonic and pelagic sea slug (Glaucus atlanticus) on the shore of Chennai

F. Suganya, P. Sharma & S. Prabakaran
*Corresponding author. E-mail: florencesuganya3@gmail.com

Due to the extensive work of Churchill et al. (2014), it has become evident that Glaucilla and Glaucus are different genera under the Family Glaucidae (Class: Gastropoda; Order: Nudibranchia) by the presence of a short posterior end of the body and by the arrangement of cerata in multiseriate groups. Molecular analyses indicate that the family Glaucidae is in fact, closely related to Facelinidae. Glaucus species can float on the surface of water due to their ability to maintain their buoyancy by swallowing air and holding it in gastric cavities. Their distribution is a function of the gyre systems, ocean currents driven by wind so they can become stranded. The specimens used for this study were collected along the shore of Chennai at Nochi Nagar (13.027854oN, 80.27793oE), Tamil Nadu, India on 6–7 March 2023. The specimens were preserved in 10% formaldehyde to observe morphological features. All identifications were based on Churchill et al. (2014).

Section Editor: Wuchang Zhang