Aldisa vozinhai
Sea slug species of the Caribbean
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Aldisa vozinhai (commonly known as Vozinha's sea slug) is a species of small sea slug, specifically a dorid nudibranch. It is a marine gastropod mollusc in the family Cadlinidae.[2] Discovered in the Caribbean Sea, the species was formally described in June 2026 by Spanish biologist Jesús Ortea.[3] It is notable for its tiny size, bright red coloration, and its naming origin, which honors Cape Verdean international footballer Vozinha following his performance at the 2026 FIFA World Cup.[4]
| Aldisa vozinhai | |
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| Species: | A. vozinhai |
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| Aldisa vozinhai Ortea, 2026[1] | |
Description
Aldisa vozinhai is a miniature nudibranch, with documented specimens measuring approximately 4 millimetres (0.16 in) in length.[3] True to its genus classification within Cadlinidae, it possesses a doridiform body shape. The species is characterized by a striking, uniform bright red color across its mantle.[4] Like other members of the genus Aldisa, it is a cryptobranch dorid, meaning it is capable of retracting its gills into a pocket on the dorsum to protect them from predators.
Distribution and Habitat
The type specimens of Aldisa vozinhai were collected from benthic marine environments in the Caribbean Sea.[4] Its known distribution includes coastal waters near:
It lives in tropical marine environments, typically inhabiting areas rich in marine sponges, which serve as the primary food source for nudibranchs within the genus Aldisa.
Etymology and Taxonomy
The species was described by Dr. Jesús Ortea, a professor of animal biology and zoology at the University of Oviedo, in his publication Historias de la Bioadversidad (Biodiversity Stories), released in June 2026.[1]
Ortea chose the specific epithet vozinhai to honor Josimar Dias, better known as Vozinha, the veteran goalkeeper of the Cape Verde national football team.[3] The description was deliberately timed to coincide with Cape Verde's debut appearance at the 2026 FIFA World Cup.[5] Specifically, the tribute was inspired by Vozinha's standout performance in a historic 0–0 group-stage draw against Spain, a national team nicknamed La Roja ("The Red One").[4] Ortea noted that the sea slug's bright red coloration serves as a direct reference to that sporting feat.[4]
Additionally, the naming served as a gesture of gratitude to the people of Cape Verde. The nation's government had previously awarded Ortea the national Medal of Environmental Merit on June 29, 2023, in recognition of his extensive research into the archipelago's marine biodiversity.[4]
This is not the first time Ortea has named a species after a football goalkeeper; in 2019, he named a newly discovered marine sea snail species after former Real Madrid and Costa Rica goalkeeper Keylor Navas.[6]
See also
- Aldisa sanguinea (Blood-spot doris), a related red species in the same genus.
- List of organisms named after famous people (born 1950–present)