Glossodoris hikuerensis

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Glossodoris hikuerensis
Glossodoris hikuerensis
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Mollusca
Class: Gastropoda
(unranked): clade Heterobranchia

clade Euthyneura
clade Nudipleura
clade Nudibranchia

Superfamily: Doridoidea
Family: Chromodorididae
Genus: Glossodoris
Species: G. hikuerensis
Binomial name
Glossodoris hikuerensis
Pruvot-Fol, 1954 [1]

Glossodoris hikuerensis, is a species of sea slug, a colorful nudibranch, a marine gastropod mollusc in the family Chromodorididae.

Distribution

This species occurs in the tropical Indo-Pacific Ocean. It has been observed in localities as far apart as East Africa in the Indian Ocean to French Polynesia in the Pacific.[1]

Description

Glossodoris hikuerensis has a pale-brown body which is covered by speckled white dots. It has a very frilly mantle edged with brown-black-brown lines. Its gills are semi-translucent white, and its rhinophores have the same speckled pale-brown pattern as its body. Glossodoris hikuerensis is a relatively large nudibranch and can reach at least 100 mm in length.

  • Glossodoris hikuerensis

  • Glossodoris hikuerensis

Ecology

This species, like many other nudibranchs, feeds on sponges. The only sponge identified as its food source is Hyrtios erectus.[2] When disturbed, Glossodoris hikuerensis releases a milky-white substance which is a form of chemical defence.[3]

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 Sea Slug Forum, accessed 18 December 2009.
  2. ↑ McDonald G. R. & Nybakken J. W. (last change: 14 December 2009) "A List of the Worldwide Food Habits of Nudibranchs". Accessed 20 December 2009. htm
  3. ↑ http://www.seaslugforum.net/message/22554

External links

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