The ghost nudibranch, ''Lecithophorus capensis'', 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
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 ...
, and is only found in South Africa. It is a
marine gastropod mollusc in the
family
Family (from la, familia) is a group of people related either by consanguinity (by recognized birth) or affinity (by marriage or other relationship). The purpose of the family is to maintain the well-being of its members and of society. Idea ...
Polyceridae
The Polyceridae are a taxonomic family of sea slugs, dorid nudibranchs, marine gastropod mollusks within the superfamily Polyceroidea.
Taxonomy
The family Polyceridae is classified within the clade Doridacea, itself belonging to the clad ...
. It is the sole species of the genus ''Lecithophorus''.
Distribution
This species is
endemic
Endemism is the state of a species being found in a single defined geographic location, such as an island, state, nation, country or other defined zone; organisms that are indigenous to a place are not endemic to it if they are also found els ...
to the
South African coast and is found on both sides of the Cape Peninsula from the intertidal to at least 30 m.
Description
The ghost nudibranch is an almost transparent animal with a deep body and an opaque white margin. Its digestive system is visible as a purple mass in the posterior end of its body. Its
rhinophore
A rhinophore is one of a pair of chemosensory club-shaped, rod-shaped or ear-like structures which are the most prominent part of the external head anatomy in sea slugs, marine gastropod opisthobranch mollusks such as the nudibranchs, sea ...
s and
gill
A gill () is a respiratory organ that many aquatic organisms use to extract dissolved oxygen from water and to excrete carbon dioxide. The gills of some species, such as hermit crabs, have adapted to allow respiration on land provided they ar ...
s are white.
[ZSILAVECZ, G. 2007. ''Nudibranchs of the Cape Peninsula and False Bay''. ]
Ecology
The ghost nudibranch feeds on colonial
sea squirts and
bryozoans.
References
{{Taxonbar, from=Q3829331
Polyceridae
Gastropods described in 1958