| Melanochlamys | |
|---|---|
| | |
| Holotype of Melanochlamys miqueli at MNHN, Paris | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Mollusca |
| Class: | Gastropoda |
| Subterclass: | Tectipleura |
| Order: | Cephalaspidea |
| Family: | Aglajidae |
| Genus: | Melanochlamys Cheeseman, 1881 [1] |
| Type species | |
| Melanochlamys cylindricaCheeseman, 1881 | |
| Synonyms | |
| |
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]
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]
According to the World Register of Marine Species (WoRMS), this genus contains the following accepted names: [2]