Aphelodoris luctuosa

Nudibranch
Aphelodoris luctuosa
Aphelodoris luctuosa, Poor Knights Is, New Zealand, Photo: Andrew Green

Distribution

Localised


Description

A common subtidal nudibranch endemic to New Zealand. A smooth mantle which is highly variable in the colour and pattern. Similar species in Australia Aphelodoris varia.


Information

Max Size: 8 cm

Sea Temperature Range: 13.8-21.6°C

Depth: N/A

Habitat Generalization Index: N/A

Also referred to as the SGI (Species Generalisation Index), this describes the habitat niche breadth of the species. Species with values less than 15 are found in a relatively narrow range of reef habitat types (specialists), while those over 25 may be found on most hard substrates within their range (generalists). Learn more here.


Conservation and Rarity

IUCN Status: Not Evaluated

Occurrence: Frequent (18.5% of sites)

Occurrence describes how often the species is found on surveys within its distribution. It is calculated as the % of reef sites surveyed by RLS divers across all the ecoregions in which the species has been observed

Abundance: Solitary (1 per transect)

Abundance is calculated as the average number of individuals recorded per RLS transect, where present.


Edit by: Nicola Davis