About Rostanga arbutus (Angas, 1864)
This is a species of dorid nudibranch with the scientific name Rostanga arbutus (Angas, 1864). Individuals of this species range in colour from bright orange to reddish-orange. Their back (dorsum) is entirely covered in small structures called caryophyllidia. This nudibranch looks very similar to other species in the genus Rostanga. It can be distinguished from these related species by a series of white mantle gland markings located just inside the edge of its mantle. This species was first described from specimens collected in New South Wales, Australia. It was originally thought to have a very wide distribution, but this mistake occurred because it was confused with other similar species. This nudibranch is found mostly in the intertidal zone, where it lives on the red sponge Ophlitaspongia aceratoobtusa, which belongs to the family Microcionidae. It is thought to feed on this sponge. Most other species of the genus Rostanga also feed on sponges from the family Microcionidae.
