Melanochlamys is a genus of headshield slugs in the family Aglajidae. Despite the appearance of its species, this genus must not be confused with nudibranchs.[2]

Melanochlamys
Holotype of Melanochlamys miqueli at MNHN, Paris
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Mollusca
Class: Gastropoda
Subclass: Heterobranchia
Cohort: Tectipleura
Order: Cephalaspidea
Family: Aglajidae
Genus: Melanochlamys
Cheeseman, 1881[1]
Type species
Melanochlamys cylindrica Cheeseman, 1881
Synonyms
  • Nona H. Adams & A. Adams, 1854 (nomen oblitum)
  • Smaragdinella (Nona) H. Adams & A. Adams, 1854

This genus was first described by Cheeseman in 1881 but later malacologists considered it a junior synonym of Aglaja Renier, 1807, until the genus was reinstated by Rudman in 1972 [3]

It differs from the other genera in Aglajidae by its external cylindrical body form with small parapodia, the shape of its small, curved and strongly calcified shell, its alimentary canal with a rigid, non-eversible buccal bulb, and the reproductive system with a short duct to the exogenous ( = originating from the outside) sperm sac and a characteristic penis.[3]

Species edit

According to the World Register of Marine Species (WoRMS), this genus contains the following accepted names:[2]

Species brought into synonymy
  • Melanochlamys depicta (Renier, 1807): synonym of Philinopsis depicta (Renier, 1807)
  • Melanochlamys dubia (O'Donoghue, 1929): synonym of Philinopsis dubia (O'Donoghue, 1929)
  • Melanochlamys nana (Steinberg & Jones, 1960): synonym of Melanochlamys diomedea (Bergh, 1894)
  • Melanochlamys seurati (Vayssière, 1926): synonym of Melanochlamys algirae (Adams A. in Sowerby G.B. II, 1850)
  • Melanochlamys virgo (Rudman, 1968): synonym of Philinopsis virgo (Rudman, 1968)

References edit

  1. ^ Cheeseman, T. F. (1881). "On a new genus of opisthobranchiate Mollusca". Transactions and Proceedings of the New Zealand Institute. 13: 224. ISSN 1176-6158. Wikidata Q115566365.
  2. ^ a b Bouchet, P.; Gofas, S. (2010). Melanochlamys Cheesman, 1881. In: Bouchet, P.; Gofas, S.; Rosenberg, G. (2010) World Marine Mollusca database. Accessed through: World Register of Marine Species at http://www.marinespecies.org/aphia.php?p=taxdetails&id=137639 on 5 June 2012
  3. ^ a b Rudman, W.B. (1972) On Melanochlamys Cheeseman, 1881, a genus of the Aglajidae (Opisthobranchia: Gastropoda). Pacific Science, 26(1): 50-62, 8 figs.
  • Vaught, K.C. (1989). A classification of the living Mollusca. American Malacologists: Melbourne, FL (USA). ISBN 0-915826-22-4. XII, 195 pp
  • Gofas, S.; Le Renard, J.; Bouchet, P. (2001). Mollusca, in: Costello, M.J. et al. (Ed.) (2001). European register of marine species: a check-list of the marine species in Europe and a bibliography of guides to their identification. Collection Patrimoines Naturels, 50: pp. 180–213
  • Rolán E., 2005. Malacological Fauna From The Cape Verde Archipelago. Part 1, Polyplacophora and Gastropoda
  • Pelorce J., Horst D. & Hoarau A., 2013, 2012. Une nouvelle espèce de la famille Aglajidae (Gastropoda: Opisthobranchia) des côtes de Méditerranée française. Iberus 31(2): 165-170

External links edit