Chromodoris willani

Chromodoris willani, commonly known as Willan's chromodoris, is a species of sea slug, a dorid nudibranch, a shell-less marine gastropod mollusk in the family Chromodorididae. The species is named for the renowned nudibranch taxonomist Dr. Richard C. Willan.

Chromodoris willani
Chromodoris willani at Verde Island in the Philippines
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Mollusca
Class: Gastropoda
Subclass: Heterobranchia
Order: Nudibranchia
Suborder: Doridina
Superfamily: Doridoidea
Family: Chromodorididae
Genus: Chromodoris
Species:
C. willani
Binomial name
Chromodoris willani
Rudman, 1982 [1]

Distribution

This nudibranch is found in the Western Pacific Ocean, from Indonesia and the Philippines to Vanuatu.[2]

Description

Chromodoris willani is similar in appearance to Chromodoris lochi, Chromodoris boucheti and Chromodoris dianae. This species can be distinguished by the very prominent white specks found on the gills and rhinophores.[3]

Individuals in this species can range in color from dark blue to a translucent white. All have black stripes with the center-most stripe typically being non-continuous.[4]

Ecology

Chromodoris willani, like many other nudibranchs, feeds on sponges. It has been reported to eat Cacospongia mycofijiensis and Semitaspongia, both in the family Thorectidae.[5]

  • Pale blue individuals of Chromodoris willani
  • White form of Chromodoris willani
  • Blue form of Chromodoris willani
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References
  1. Rudman, W.B. 1982. The Chromodorididae (Opisthobranchia: Mollusca) of the Indo-West Pacific: Chromodoris quadricolor, C. lineolata and Hypselodoris nigrolineata colour groups. Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society, 76: 183-241. page(s): 193
  2. Chromodoris willani Rudman, 1982. Sea Slug Forum, accessed 8 December 2009
  3. Debelius H. (2001) Nudibranchs and Sea Snails: Indo-Pacific Field Guide. IKAN, Unterwasserarchiv, Frankfurt, Germany.
  4. Rudman, W.B., 1998 (November 29) Chromodoris willani Rudman, 1982. [In] Sea Slug Forum. Australian Museum, Sydney.
  5. Rudman W.B. & Bergquist, P.R., 2007. "A review of feeding specificity in the sponge-feeding Chromodorididae (Nudibranchia: Mollusca). Molluscan Research 27(2): 60–88.
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