''Chromodoris aspersa'' is a
species
In biology, a species is the basic unit of Taxonomy (biology), classification and a taxonomic rank of an organism, as well as a unit of biodiversity. A species is often defined as the largest group of organisms in which any two individuals of ...
of colourful
sea slug
Sea slug is a common name for some marine invertebrates with varying levels of resemblance to terrestrial slugs. Most creatures known as sea slugs are gastropods, i.e. they are sea snails (marine gastropod mollusks) that over evolutionary ...
, a
dorid nudibranch
Nudibranchs () are a group of soft-bodied marine gastropod molluscs which shed their shells after their larval stage. They are noted for their often extraordinary colours and striking forms, and they have been given colourful nicknames to mat ...
, a
marine
Marine is an adjective meaning of or pertaining to the sea or ocean.
Marine or marines may refer to:
Ocean
* Maritime (disambiguation)
* Marine art
* Marine biology
* Marine debris
* Marine habitats
* Marine life
* Marine pollution
Military
* ...
gastropod mollusc in the family
Chromodorididae
Chromodorididae, or chromodorids, are a taxonomic family of colourful, sea slugs; dorid nudibranchs, marine gastropod mollusks in the superfamily Doridoidea. “Chromodorid nudibranchs are among the most gorgeously coloured of all animals. ...
.
Distribution
This chromodorid nudibranch was first described from Kawahe or Vincennes Island,
Tuamotus
The Tuamotu Archipelago or the Tuamotu Islands (french: Îles Tuamotu, officially ) are a French Polynesian chain of just under 80 islands and atolls in the southern Pacific Ocean. They constitute the largest chain of atolls in the world, extendin ...
. It is a widespread species in the Indo-Pacific tropical region.
Description
''Chromodoris aspersa'' has a white mantle covered with small rounded purple spots which have a diffuse edge. The mantle rim has a marginal band of orange-yellow. The gills and rhinophores are marked with orange-yellow. This species has been revealed to be a species complex and work is needed to elucidate the species.
[Layton, K. K.; Gosliner, T. M.; Wilson, N. G. (2018). ''Flexible colour patterns obscure identification and mimicry in Indo-Pacific Chromodoris nudibranchs (Gastropoda: Chromodorididae).'' Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution. 124: 27-36.][Gosliner, T.M., Behrens, D.W. & Valdés, Á., 2018. ''Nudibranch and Sea Slug Identification - Indo-Pacific.'' New World Publications; 2nd Revised, Updated edition. 452 pp. , , p. 141]
References
External links
*
{{Taxonbar, from=Q5113849
Chromodorididae
Gastropods described in 1852