SOLITARY ISLANDS
UNDERWATER
RESEARCH GROUP, INC.

Species Index

Berthella martensi
(Pilsbry, 1896)

Distribution: Rare in the Solitary Islands Marine Park. Reported from wide area of the Indo-Pacific region but may be at its southern limit of distribution in northern New South Wales.

Ecological Notes: Found on coral reef where it feeds on ascidians and sponges.

Additional Notes: Extremely variable in colour, ranging from the pale form shown here to darker browns and orange, with distinctive contrasting spots, see lower photograph. The animal sheds its mantle along three distinct fracture lines if disturbed, and can exude defensive acid. Grows to at least 80 mm.

References: Gary Cobb, David Mullins, Nudibranchs Encyclopedia, 2nd Edition, 2015. Publishers Thomas Slone, Masalai Press and Tim Hochgrebe, Underwater Australasia. p.77.