Sunday, February 4, 2018

[Mollusca • 2014] Tritonia khaleesi • A New Species of Tritonia (Opisthobranchia: Nudibranchia: Tritoniidae) from the tropical South Atlantic Ocean


Tritonia khaleesi
Silva, Azevedo & Matthews-Cascon, 2014


Abstract
A new species of the family Tritoniidae is described from the tropical South Atlantic Ocean. The animal was found off north-east Brazil. Tritonia khaleesi sp. nov. is up to 12 mm long, with a slender white body, of which the notum is covered with one broad white band extending from between the eyes and veil to the tail; veil with 4 velar appendages; retractable white rhinophores; rhinophoral sheath with fleshy extension; seven pairs of branchial plumes; the anus is located between the 3rd and 4th gills on the right side, and the genital opening is under the 2nd gill. Internally, T. khaleesi sp. nov. is distinguished from other tritoniids by jaws with 10–14 rows of denticles on the inner lips, absence of stomach plates and the radular formula 32 × 2–5.1.1.1.2–5 teeth. Tritonia khaleesi sp. nov. is the only Tritonia that possesses a unicuspid rachidian tooth as an adult.

Keywords: Tritonia khaleesi sp. nov., taxonomy, Nudibranchia, Dendronotina, tropical Atlantic




Tritonia khaleesi, sp. nov.

Etymology: The name, proposed as a noun in apposition, refers to the title ‘Khaleesi’, meaning ‘Queen’, of the main character Daenerys, from the book series A Song of Ice and Fire by the American author George R.R. Martin. The character is described as being short and having long white hair, features that resemble the white band on the notum of Tritonia khaleesi. The book series was recently adapted for the television series A Game of Thrones.  


Felipe de Vasconcelos Silva, Victor Manuel De Azevedo and Helena Matthews-Cascon. 2014. A New Species of Tritonia (Opisthobranchia: Nudibranchia: Tritoniidae) from the tropical South Atlantic Ocean. Journal of the Marine Biological Association of the United Kingdom. 94(3); 579-585.  DOI:  10.1017/S0025315413001586 
 ResearchGate.net/publication/259460309_A_new_species_of_Tritonia_Opisthobranchia_Nudibranchia_Tritoniidae_from_the_tropical_South_Atlantic_Ocean