Phyllidiopsis loricata
Phyllidiopsis loricata | |
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Phyllidiopsis loricata | |
Scientific classification ![]() | |
Domain: | Eukaryota |
Kingdom: | Animalia |
Phylum: | Mollusca |
Class: | Gastropoda |
Order: | Nudibranchia |
Superfamily: | Phyllidioidea |
Family: | Phyllidiidae |
Genus: | Phyllidiopsis |
Species: | P. loricata
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Binomial name | |
Phyllidiopsis loricata |
Phyllidiopsis loricata is a species of sea slug, a dorid nudibranch, a shell-less marine gastropod mollusk in the family Phyllidiidae.[2]
Distribution
[edit]This species was described from Tahiti. It has been reported from the Great Barrier Reef, Timor Sea (northern Australia), Guam, the Marshall Islands and Enewetok Atoll.[3] Specimens from Réunion in the Indian Ocean may be a different species.[3]
![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/e/e9/Phyllidiopsis_loricata.jpg/220px-Phyllidiopsis_loricata.jpg)
Description
[edit]This nudibranch has a white dorsum with rounded black spots in a single row along both sides of the body, with a spot at the front, in front of the white rhinophores, and a similar spot at the back of the mantle. It is a moderately large Phyllidiid, growing to about 40 mm in length. It is similar to Phyllidia scottjohnsoni but that species has black spots along the midline of the back.[3] It is possible that there are several undescribed species with similar coloration.[4]
Diet
[edit]This species feeds on a white sponge.[5]
References
[edit]- ^ Bergh, L.S.R., 1873. Neue Nacktschnecken der Sudsee, Malacologische Untersuchungen. Journal des Museum Godeffroy, Hamburg 2: 66-96.
- ^ Bouchet, P. (2015). Phyllidiopsis loricata (Bergh, 1873). In: MolluscaBase (2015). Accessed through: World Register of Marine Species on 2016-11-13.
- ^ a b c Rudman, W.B., 1999 (August 1) Phyllidiopsis loricata (Bergh, 1873). [In] Sea Slug Forum. Australian Museum, Sydney.
- ^ Johnson, S. & Johnson, J. (2016) Phyllidiopsis loricata Kwajalein Underwater.
- ^ Pittman, C. & Fiene, P. (2016). Phyllidiopsis loricata Sea Slugs of Hawaii.