Kaloplocamus
A bioluminescent genus of nudibranchs in the family Polyceridae.
Kaloplocamus is a genus of sea slugs, a type of nudibranch. These are marine gastropod molluscs without shells, belonging to the family Polyceridae. Some species in this genus are bioluminescent.
The genus includes the following species: *Kaloplocamus acutus*, *K. albopunctatus*, *K. dokte*, *K. gulo*, *K. japonicus*, *K. maculatus*, *K. maru*, *K. orientalis*, *K. pacificus*, *K. peludo*, *K. ramosus*, *K. verrilli*, and *K. yatesi*.
Several former species are now considered synonyms of *Kaloplocamus ramosus*: *K. atlanticus*, *K. aureus*, and *K. filosus*.
Quick Facts
- Taxon
- Kaloplocamus
Facts from the source article.
Lore & Background
The genus Kaloplocamus includes species such as Kaloplocamus acutus, Kaloplocamus albopunctatus, Kaloplocamus dokte, Kaloplocamus gulo, Kaloplocamus japonicus, Kaloplocamus maculatus, Kaloplocamus maru, Kaloplocamus orientalis, Kaloplocamus pacificus, Kaloplocamus peludo, Kaloplocamus ramosus, Kaloplocamus verrilli, and Kaloplocamus yatesi. Several species have been brought into synonymy with Kaloplocamus ramosus, including Kaloplocamus atlanticus, Kaloplocamus aureus, and Kaloplocamus filosus. The genus is characterized by its bioluminescent capability, a notable trait among nudibranchs.
Reader's Guide
The significance of Kaloplocamus lies in its bioluminescent property, which distinguishes it within the nudibranch group. The genus belongs to the family Polyceridae, and its species are documented through various taxonomic works, including those by Baba, Wei & Kong, Vallès & Gosliner, Marcus, Bergh, Thiele, Cantraine, Martynov, and Angas. The synonymy of several species under Kaloplocamus ramosus reflects ongoing taxonomic refinement. The genus contributes to the understanding of biodiversity and evolutionary adaptations in marine gastropods, particularly in the context of bioluminescence. Its legacy is preserved in taxonomic literature and reference compendia, such as Vaught's classification of living Mollusca.
Did You Know?
- Kaloplocamus is a genus of nudibranchs in the family Polyceridae.
- The genus contains bioluminescent species.
- Kaloplocamus ramosus has three synonyms: Kaloplocamus atlanticus, Kaloplocamus aureus, and Kaloplocamus filosus.
- Species in the genus include Kaloplocamus acutus, Kaloplocamus albopunctatus, and Kaloplocamus dokte.
More in Nudibranchs and Sea Slugs, Part 2 1-24
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