Dendronotus iris

Dendronotus iris is a species of sea slug, a dorid nudibranch, a shell-less marine gastropod mollusk in the family Dendronotidae.^[2]

Distribution

This animal can be found along the west coast of North America from Alaska to Baja California.^[3]

Description

Dendronotus iris can grow to about 30 cm but is usually about 10 cm. The colour of this species is highly variable. It can range from translucent white or gray, to orange or red. It can also have white spots or scattered brownish patches. Distinctive features include the stalk of the rhinophore sheath having a vertical row of three to six small branched processes on its posterior side, and the foot being edged in white, although this may be partially absent in some specimens. The oral veil has four paired processes. The branching gills may be tipped with white, orange, yellow, or purple.^[3]

Diet

This species feeds on the burrowing anemone Pachycerianthus fimbriatus.

References

Further reading

• Robilliard G. A. (1970) "The systematics and some aspects of the ecology of the genus Dendronotus". The Veliger 12(4): 433-479.
• Wobber Don R. (1970) "A report on the feeding of Dendronotus iris on the anthozoan Cerianthus sp. from Monterey Bay, California". The Veliger 12(4): 383-387, plates 55-57.