White-spotted nudibranch

White-spotted nudibranch
A live individual of Doriopsilla capensis, head end towards the lower left.
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Mollusca
Class: Gastropoda
(unranked): clade Heterobranchia

clade Euthyneura
clade Nudipleura
clade Nudibranchia
clade Euctenidiacea
clade Doridacea

Superfamily: Phyllidioidea
Family: Dendrodorididae
Genus: Doriopsilla
Species: D. capensis
Binomial name
Doriopsilla capensis

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

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

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

This species has been found among sponges.

References

  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
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