| Ceratosoma trilobatum | |
|---|---|
 | |
Scientific classification  | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Mollusca |
| Class: | Gastropoda |
| Subclass: | Heterobranchia |
| Order: | Nudibranchia |
| Suborder: | Doridina |
| Superfamily: | Doridoidea |
| Family: | Chromodorididae |
| Genus: | Ceratosoma |
| Species: | C. trilobatum |
| Binomial name | |
| Ceratosoma trilobatum | |
| Synonyms | |
| |
Ceratosoma trilobatum is a species of colorful dorid nudibranch, a sea slug, a shell-less marine gastropod mollusk in the family Chromodorididae. [2]
This sea slug was described from India. It is widespread throughout the tropical waters of the Indo-Pacific area, from the oriental African coast to Japan, Red Sea included. [3] [4]
Ceratosoma trilobatum can grow to a maximal size of 15 cm length. The body colouration is extremely variable but is always composed of bright colors. However, the body colouration is not a valuable criterion of determination for this species because it can easily be confused with Ceratosoma tenue . [4]
The physical distinctive criteria are two mantle lobes on the first half of the body on each side. The first one is around the head part and the second one is close to the gills. The purple margin of the mantle and foot is an unbroken line. [4]
Another specificity of the species is the kind of "horn" covering the gills, which is like a lure and acts as a defensive chemical weapon that will scare any potential predator who dares to bite this part. [4] The gills and the rhinophores are retractile in internal sheaths and their basis has a purple margin. [4]
Ceratosoma trilobatum is active all time and has a diurnal activity. [4]
Ceratosoma trilobatum feeds on sponge of genus Dysidea . [5]
The Chromodorididae, or chromodorids, are a taxonomic family of colourful, sea slugs; dorid nudibranchs, marine gastropod mollusks in the superfamily Doridoidea. “Chromodorid nudibranchs are among the most gorgeously coloured of all animals.” The over 360 described species are primarily found in tropical and subtropical waters, as members of coral reef communities, specifically associated with their sponge prey. The chromodorids are the most speciose family of opisthobranchs. They range in size from <10mm to over 30 cm, although most species are approximately 15–30 mm in size.
Chromodoris magnifica is a sea slug, a species of nudibranch, a shell-less marine gastropod mollusc in the family Chromodorididae. It is the type species of the genus Chromodoris.
Hypselodoris tryoni is a species of sea slug, a dorid nudibranch, a marine gastropod mollusk in the family Chromodorididae.
Ceratosoma is a genus of sea slugs, dorid nudibranchs, shell-less marine gastropod mollusks in the family Chromodorididae.
Ceratosoma tenue is a species of colourful dorid nudibranch, a sea slug, a shell-less marine gastropod mollusk in the family Chromodorididae.
Ceratosoma amoenum, or the clown nudibranch, is a species of colorful dorid nudibranch, a sea slug, a shell-less marine gastropod mollusk in the family Chromodorididae.
William B. Rudman, usually known as Bill Rudman, is a malacologist from New Zealand and Australia. In particular he studies sea slugs, opisthobranch gastropod molluscs, and has named many species of nudibranchs.
Chromodoris dianae is a species of sea slug, a dorid nudibranch, a shell-less marine gastropod mollusc in the family Chromodorididae.
Goniobranchus vibratus, common name trembling nudibranch, is a species of colourful sea slug, a dorid nudibranch, a marine gastropod mollusc in the family Chromodorididae.
Hypselodoris lacteola is a species of sea slug or dorid nudibranch, a marine gastropod mollusk in the family Chromodorididae.
Hypselodoris maculosa is a species of sea slug or dorid nudibranch, a marine gastropod mollusk in the family Chromodorididae.
Mexichromis lemniscata is a species of colourful sea slug or dorid nudibranch, a marine gastropod mollusk in the family Chromodorididae.
Diversidoris crocea is a species of colourful sea slug, a dorid nudibranch, a shell-less marine gastropod mollusk in the family Chromodorididae.
Diversidoris flava is a yellow species of sea slug, a dorid nudibranch, a shell-less marine gastropod mollusk in the family Chromodorididae.
Ardeadoris angustolutea is a species of colourful sea slug, a dorid nudibranch, a shell-less marine gastropod mollusc in the family Chromodorididae. It was transferred to the genus Ardeadoris on the basis of DNA evidence.
Thorunna punicea is a species of sea slug, a dorid nudibranch, a shell-less marine gastropod mollusk in the family Chromodorididae.
Ceratosoma bicolor is a species of sea slug or dorid nudibranch, a marine gastropod mollusk in the family Chromodorididae. It is possible that this species is a colour variation of Ceratosoma trilobatum
Ceratosoma palliolatum is a species of sea slug or dorid nudibranch, a marine gastropod mollusk in the family Chromodorididae.
Goniobranchus reticulatus is a species of colourful sea slug or dorid nudibranch, a marine gastropod mollusk in the family Chromodorididae.
Goniobranchus leopardus, is a species of colourful sea slug, a dorid nudibranch, a marine gastropod mollusc in the family Chromodorididae.
