Goniobranchus coi
| Goniobranchus coi | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Goniobranchus coi | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Mollusca |
| Class: | Gastropoda |
| (unranked): | clade Heterobranchia clade Euthyneura clade Nudipleura clade Nudibranchia |
| Superfamily: | Doridoidea |
| Family: | Chromodorididae |
| Genus: | Goniobranchus |
| Species: | G. coi |
| Binomial name | |
| Goniobranchus coi (Risbec, 1956)[1] | |
| Synonyms[2] | |
| |
Goniobranchus coi is a species of very colorful sea slug, a dorid nudibranch, a marine gastropod mollusk in the family Chromodorididae.[2]
Distribution
This species occurs in the tropical Western Pacific Ocean from Australia to the Philippines.[1]
Description
Goniobranchus coi has a white body and foot, but is instantly recognizable for its distinct dorsal pattern. The outer part of the dorsum is yellow, separated from the inner light-brown part by a wavy white and black line. The mantle is brown, edged with a thin purple line. The gills and rhinophores range in color between different individuals from translucent white, through pale-yellow and light-brown.
This species reaches at least 50 mm in length.
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A close up of the rhinophores of G. Coi
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Goniobranchus coi
Ecology
Like many slugs in the genus Chromodoris, Goniobranchus coi feeds on sponges. It has been seen feeding on the sponge Chelonaplysilla violacea.[3]
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 http://www.seaslugforum.net/factsheet.cfm?base=chrocoi
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 Bouchet, P. (2012). Goniobranchus coi. Accessed through: World Register of Marine Species at http://www.marinespecies.org/aphia.php?p=taxdetails&id=597329 on 2012-05-01
- ↑ http://www.seaslugforum.net/message/21571
- Rudman W.B. (1987) The Chromodorididae (Opisthobranchia: Mollusca) of the Indo-West Pacific: Chromodoris epicura, C. aureopurpurea, C. annulata, C. coi and Risbecia tryoni colour groups. Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society 90: 305-407. page(s): 395
- Debelius, H. & Kuiter, R.H. (2007) Nudibranchs of the world. ConchBooks, Frankfurt, 360 pp. ISBN 978-3-939767-06-0 page(s): 143
- Gosliner, T.M., Behrens, D.W. & Valdés, Á. (2008) Indo-Pacific Nudibranchs and seaslugs. A field guide to the world's most diverse fauna. Sea Challengers Natural History Books, Washington, 426 pp. page(s): 215
- McDonald G. (2009) Nudibranch Systematic Index. 2nd online edition. 724 pp
- Johnson R.F. & Gosliner T.M. (2012) Traditional taxonomic groupings mask evolutionary history: A molecular phylogeny and new classification of the chromodorid nudibranchs. PLoS ONE 7(4): e33479