Jump to content

White-spotted nudibranch

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

White-spotted nudibranch
A live individual of Doriopsilla capensis, head end towards the lower left.
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Mollusca
Class: Gastropoda
Order: Nudibranchia
Superfamily: Phyllidioidea
Family: Dendrodorididae
Genus: Doriopsilla
Species:
D. capensis
Binomial name
Doriopsilla capensis
(Bergh, 1907)

The white-spotted nudibranch (Doriopsilla capensis) is a species of sea slug, a dorid nudibranch. It is a marine gastropod mollusc in the family Dendrodorididae.

Distribution

[edit]

This species has so far only been found around the southern African coast off the Atlantic side of the Cape Peninsula in 10–30 m. It is probably endemic.[1]

Description

[edit]

The white-spotted nudibranch has a translucent white- to tan-coloured body, which may have a bluish tinge. The body is covered with white protuberances. The margin is opaque white. The perfoliate rhinophores are cream-coloured as is the gill rosette. It may reach a total length of 30 mm.[2]

Ecology

[edit]

This species has been found among sponges.

References

[edit]
  1. ^ GOSLINER, T.M. 1987. Nudibranchs of Southern Africa ISBN 0-930118-13-8
  2. ^ ZSILAVECZ, G. 2007. Nudibranchs of the Cape Peninsula and False Bay. ISBN 0-620-38054-3