Introduction

The processes encircling the dorsum of madrellids are elongate and conical. Within each process is an easily discharged sac of viscous pigment, taken-up from its encrusting bryozoan food and stored for defensive purposes. The rhinophores resemble an upside-down stove brush. The anus opens on the posterior right side.

[Compiled from Burn (in press 2012)]

General References

Beesley, P.L., Ross, G.J.B. & Wells, A. (eds) 1998. Mollusca: The Southern Synthesis. Fauna of Australia. Melbourne : CSIRO Publishing Vol. 5(Part B) pp. vi–viii, 565–1234. [1009]

Burn, R. 2006. A checklist and bibliography of the Opisthobranchia (Mollusca: Gastropoda) of Victoria and the Bass Strait area, south-eastern Australia. Museum Victoria Science Report 10: 1-42

History of changes

• Madrella Alder, J. & Hancock, A. 1864. Notice of a collection of nudibranchiate mollusca made in India by Walter Elliot, Esq. with descriptions of several new genera and species. Transactions of the Zoological Society of London 5(3): 113–147 [141-142].

  Type species:

   Madrella ferruginosa Alder & Hancock, 1864 by original designation.

Introduction

Coleman (2008) identified an additional form as Madrella cf. ferruginosa Alder & Hancock, 1864 which may represent an undescribed species.

Distribution

States

New South Wales, Queensland, South Australia, Tasmania, Victoria, Western Australia

IMCRA

Northeast Shelf Province (40)

General References

Coleman, N. 2008. Nudibranchs Encyclopedia. Queensland : Neville Coleman's Underwater Geographic 416 pp. [318]

History of changes

• Madrella ferruginosa Alder, J. & Hancock, A. 1864. Notice of a collection of nudibranchiate mollusca made in India by Walter Elliot, Esq. with descriptions of several new genera and species. Transactions of the Zoological Society of London 5(3): 113–147 [142].

Distribution

States

Queensland

IMCRA

Northeast Shelf Province (40)

Ecological Descriptors

Marine.

General References

Marshall, J.G. & Willan, R.C. 1999. Nudibranchs of Heron Island, Great Barrier Reef. Leiden : Backhuys 257 pp. [176]

History of changes

• Janus sanguineus Angas, G.F. 1864. Description d'espèces nouvelles appartenant à plusieurs genres de Mollusques nudibranches des environs de Port Jackson, (Nouvelles-Galles du Sud), accompagnée de dessins faits d'après nature. Journal de Conchyliologie 12: 43–70 [63–64, pl. 6, fig. 5].

  Type data:

   Status unknown, Watsons Bay, Port Jackson, NSW.

Generic Combinations

• Madrella sanguinea (Angas, 1864).

Distribution

States

New South Wales, Queensland, South Australia, Tasmania, Victoria, Western Australia

Extra Distribution Information

0–25 m.

Ecological Descriptors

Marine.

General References

Burn, R. 1989. Opisthobranchs (Subclass Opisthobranchia). In, Shepherd, S.A. & Thomas, I.M (eds). Marine Invertebrates of Southern Australia. Part II. Adelaide : South Australian Government Printing Division. [pl. 55.6] (photo)

Burn, R. 2006. A checklist and bibliography of the Opisthobranchia (Mollusca: Gastropoda) of Victoria and the Bass Strait area, south-eastern Australia. Museum Victoria Science Report 10: 1-42

Coleman, N. 2001. 1001 Nudibranchs - Catalogue of Indo-Pacific Sea Slugs. Springwood, Queensland : Neville Coleman’s Underwater Geographic Pty Ltd 144 pp. [103] (photo)

Wells, F.E. & Bryce, C.W. 1993. Sea Slugs of Western Australia. Perth : Western Australian Museum 184 pp. [166]

History of changes