Glossodoris hikuerensis

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

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

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]

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References
  1. Archived 2010-06-15 at the Wayback Machine 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" Archived 2010-09-13 at the Wayback Machine. Accessed 20 December 2009. htm Archived 2009-04-11 at the Wayback Machine
  3. http://www.seaslugforum.net/message/22554
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