The growth of Peltodoris atromaculata Bergh, 1880 (Gastropoda: Nudibranchia) in the laboratory

Abstract

The growth of Peltodoris atromaculata Bergh, 1880, measured as total dorsal body area, was followed in the laboratory for 15 months. The growth of dorsal brown patches was compared to the total area of the mantle, and was shown to be approximately constant over time in the different animals. This numerical approach can be useful to quantify the body pigmentation cline previously described for Mediterranean specimens. P. atromaculata has an annual life-cycle in the laboratory, reaching its maximum size before oviposition. Post-spawning mortality followed a decrease in size for all specimens. Mantle margin autotomy in P. atromaculata seems not to be related to defence against predation, but it is a process that takes place before death in laboratory.