Janolus

Last updated

Janolus
Janolus.jpg
Scientific classification OOjs UI icon edit-ltr.svg
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Mollusca
Class: Gastropoda
Subclass: Heterobranchia
Order: Nudibranchia
Suborder: Cladobranchia
Family: Janolidae
Genus: Janolus
Bergh, 1884 [1]
Type species
Janolus australis Bergh, 1884
Species

See text

Synonyms [2]
  • JanusVérany, 1844 (invalid: junior homonym of Janus Stephens, 1829 [Hymenoptera])

Janolus is a genus of small to large sea slugs, or more accurately nudibranchs, marine gastropod mollusks, in the family Janolidae. [2] The name Janolus is derived from the two-headed god Janus, in ancient Roman mythology.

Contents

Description

Adult individuals of Janolus species can be between 2.5 cm to 8 cm long, depending on the species. They are semi-translucent and the body is covered in short cerata.

Distribution

Janolus species are found in many areas world-wide, including Europe, Australia, Japan and Africa.

Ecology

Habitat

This genus of nudibranch is found in shallow and subtidal waters.

Feeding habits

Janolus species feed on Bryozoa, moss animals.

Predators

In California, Navanax is a known predator of Janolus. Navanax tracks the slime of Janolus by using chemoreceptors. When Janolus is about to be caught, it rolls into a ball, leaving its cerata exposed.

Species

Species in the genus Janolus include: [2]

Species brought into synonymy

Related Research Articles

<i>Armina</i> Genus of gastropods

Armina is a genus of sea slugs, specifically nudibranchs, marine gastropod mollusks in the family Arminidae.

<i>Nembrotha</i> Genus of gastropods

Nembrotha is a genus of sea slugs, nudibranchs, marine gastropod molluscs in the family Polyceridae.

<i>Okenia</i> Genus of gastropods

Okenia is a genus of colorful sea slugs, specifically of dorid nudibranchs, marine gastropod mollusks in the family Goniodorididae.

<i>Tritonia</i> (gastropod) Genus of gastropods

Tritonia is a genus of sea slugs, nudibranchs, shell-less marine gastropod molluscs in the family Tritoniidae.

<i>Hypselodoris</i> Genus of gastropods

Hypselodoris is a genus of colourful sea slugs or dorid nudibranchs, marine gastropod mollusks in the family Chromodorididae. Modern usage follows a more restricted view of which species belong in this genus so there are numerous genus transfers.

<i>Acanthodoris</i> Genus of gastropods

Acanthodoris is a genus of sea slugs, dorid nudibranchs, shell-less marine gastropod mollusks in the family Onchidorididae. The genus is believed to have originated in the Atlantic Ocean in the Cretaceous period and spread to the Pacific Ocean. The relationships of Acanthodoris to the other genera in the family Onchidorididae were evaluated by molecular phylogeny in 2015.

Cuthona is a genus of nudibranch in the family Cuthonidae.

<i>Polycera</i> Genus of gastropods

Polycera is a genus of sea slugs, specifically nudibranchs, shell-less marine gastropod molluscs in the family Polyceridae.

<i>Flabellina</i> Genus of gastropods

Flabellina is a genus of sea slugs, specifically aeolid nudibranchs. These animals are marine gastropod molluscs in the family Flabellinidae.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Facelinidae</span> Family of gastropods

The Facelinidae are a taxonomic family of colorful sea slugs. These are specifically aeolid nudibranchs. They are marine gastropod molluscs.

<i>Doriopsilla</i> Genus of gastropods

Doriopsilla is a genus of sea slugs, dorid nudibranchs, shell-less marine gastropod molluscs in the family Dendrodorididae.

<i>Eubranchus</i> Genus of molluscs

Eubranchus is a genus of aeolid nudibranch in the family Eubranchidae.

<i>Cratena</i> Genus of gastropods

Cratena is a genus of sea slugs, aeolid nudibranchs, marine gastropod molluscs in the family Facelinidae.

<i>Tambja</i> Genus of gastropods

Tambja is a genus of colorful sea slugs, dorid nudibranchs, shell-less marine gastropod mollusks in the family Polyceridae.

<i>Geitodoris</i> Genus of gastropods

Geitodoris is a genus of sea slugs, dorid nudibranchs, shell-less marine gastropod mollusks in the family Discodorididae.

<i>Thordisa</i> Genus of gastropods

Thordisa is a genus of sea slugs, dorid nudibranchs, shell-less marine gastropod mollusks in the family Discodorididae.

<i>Marionia</i> Genus of gastropods

Marionia is a genus of sea slugs, specifically dendronotid nudibranchs, marine gastropod molluscs in the family Tritoniidae.

<i>Antiopella</i> Genus of gastropods

Antiopella is a genus of small to large sea slugs, or more accurately nudibranchs, marine gastropod mollusks, in the family Janolidae.

Janolus flavoanulatus is a sea slug species. The specific name is derived from Latin words flavus (“yellow”) and anulatus (“ringed”). These soft-bodied mollusks are known for their extraordinary colors and prominent forms. The first description of this species was reported by researcher Terry Gosliner, a leading researcher in the evolutionary history of nudibranchs. Upon his conducted research in the Philippines, Gosliner named Janolus flavoanulatus for its yellow ring around its cerata.

References

  1. ↑ Bergh, L.S.R., 1884. Report on the Nudibranchiata dredged by H.M.S. Challenger during the years 1873-1876. Report of the Scientific Results of the Voyage of H.M.S. Challenger during the years 1873-76, under the command of Captain George S. Nares, R.N., F.R.S. and Captain Frank Tourle Thomson, R.N. prepared under the superintendence of the late Sir C. Wyville Thomson, Knt., F.R.S., &c. Regius Professor of Natural History in the University of Edinburgh Director of the Civilian Scientific Staff on board, and now of John Murray one of the naturalists of the expedition, Zoology 10(26):1-154, pls. 1-14.
  2. 1 2 3 MolluscaBase (2019). MolluscaBase. Janolus Bergh, 1884. Accessed on 2020-10-20.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.