Berthella martensi
(Pilsbry, 1896)
Photographed by: Connie Chen
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Mollusca |
| Class: | Gastropoda |
| Subclass: | Opisthobranchia |
| Order: | Notaspidea |
| Family: | Pleurobranchidae |
| Species: | Berthella martensi |
Comment from Richard Willan on photo #4630
This individual (of the very dark colour form) has cast off all three sections of its mantle, so only the very small central section is remaining and the gill is completely exposed.Comment from Richard Willan on photo #4629
This individual (of the very dark colour form) has cast off all three sections of its mantle, so only the very small central section is remaining and the gill is completely exposed.Comment from Richard Willan on photo #1914
This species is incredibly variable in terms of coloration, but all individuals have the 3 “shear zones” on the mantle. I cannot make out if these shear zones are present on this individual and, furthermore, it is unusual in having raised pustules, so it might be an undescribed species.Comment from Richard Willan on photo #749
Berthella martensi has an extraordinarily large intraspecific variation in colour. If it weren’t for the ‘preformed shear zones’ on the mantle it would be easy to think there were many species.Comment from Nathalie Yonow on photo #2586
Berthella martensi comes in a range of colours, but this one is typical, but they can be almost colourless with brown spots. They can also lose parts of their mantle when threatened, so the result is some very odd looking sea slugs. Locality:
