| Chromodoris annae | |
|---|---|
 | |
Scientific classification  | |
| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Mollusca |
| Class: | Gastropoda |
| Subclass: | Heterobranchia |
| Order: | Nudibranchia |
| Suborder: | Doridina |
| Superfamily: | Doridoidea |
| Family: | Chromodorididae |
| Genus: | Chromodoris |
| Species: | C. annae |
| Binomial name | |
| Chromodoris annae | |
Chromodoris annae also known as the Anna's magnificent sea slug is a species of sea slug, a very colourful nudibranch, a shell-less marine gastropod mollusc in the family Chromodorididae. [2]
This species of nudibranch is found in the central area of the Indo-Pacific region from Malaysia, Indonesia and the Philippines to the Marshall Islands. [3] The Indo-Pacific region that Chromodoris annae can be found in is rich in biodiversity. This is a tropical region made up of shallow waters and expanses of coastal shoreline. It is teeming with many different coral reefs, mangroves, and seagrasses. [4] During the day, the nudibranch is typically found alone within coral reefs. [5] Chromodoris annae can reach depths of between 15-30mm. [6]
Chromodoris annae can reach a maximum size of 5 cm length. [7] The body is elongated, with a foot made distinguishable from the upper body by a skirt-like mantle that partially hides it. The branched gills and the rhinophores are orange to yellow. The main bodily color can be a variety of shades of blue, the intensity of the latter varying from blue-grey to intense blue, slightly speckled by tiny black spots. The blue dorsal side and the foot are bordered with a black line which can be discontinuous depending on the specimen. A black dash between the rhinophores distinguishes this species from similar species like Chromodoris elisabethina and Chromodoris westraliensis . The mantle edge and the foot are bordered with white and orange to yellow lines in which the width and the color intensity can vary greatly from a specimen to another. [3] [8] [9] [10] [11] [12]
Chromodoris annae has a diet that consists of only one group of sponge [6] , known as Petrosaspongia sp. [13] [14] This nudibranch seeks out this group of sponge due to its noxious chemical composition. Chromodoris annae is able to absorb this compound and store it in glands that stretch around the mantle. These stored chemicals are unpleasant to some surrounding fish, allowing Chromodoris annae to avoid predation. [6] Along with toxin production, it is also believed that the vibrant coloration of Chromodoris annae could be considered aposematic and may be a visual deterrent for predators. [5] Currently, the only predators of Chromodoris annae and others of the Chromodoris species are a carnivorous nudibranch genus Gymnodoris . [15]
Generally, Chromodoris annae is a documented docile species of nudibranch. Despite the record of non-aggression, there was one reported case of intraspecific aggression between two Chromodoris annae sea slugs. Both nudibranchs were using a foot to keep them attached to the substrate below, but they were intertwined one on top of the other. They would lunge at each other, presenting their buccal mass and radula in repeated rasping cycles. After some time, the fighting continued with both nudibranchs circling around each other, remaining in close contact and continuing the few second rasping cycles. At one point, one nudibranch reared up and over the other, coming down over the top with its exposed radula. The biting attacks appeared to be targeted, aiming for the head, mantle, and the gills. After some time, both Chromodoris annae specimens moved out of contact with one another. Both of the individuals sustained some minor damage to their mantle. [5]
Chromodoris annae is a planar spawning species, meaning that this nudibranch lays a flat, two-dimensional, egg mass. [16] Chromodoris annae lays egg masses in an arrangement that begins in the center and works its way outward, creating a spiral formation. These eggs are somewhat translucent; however, this nudibranch has a cream-colored ovum, which can then give the egg masses a slight cream-colored hue. Each egg mass consists of approximately 3-4 whorls. [17]
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 willani, commonly known as Willan's chromodoris, is a species of sea slug, a dorid nudibranch, a shell-less marine gastropod mollusk in the family Chromodorididae. The species is named for the renowned nudibranch taxonomist Dr. Richard C. Willan.
Chromodoris magnifica, also known as the magnificent sea slug 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.
Chromodoris is a genus of very colourful sea slugs or dorid nudibranchs, marine gastropod molluscs, and the type genus of the family Chromodorididae. Within the genus Chromodoris, there are currently 101 classified species. Species within Chromodoris are commonly found in tropical and subtropical waters, living as members of reef communities and preying primarily on sponges. A molecular phylogeny of the family Chromodorididae resulted in this genus being restricted to a smaller number of species than formerly, most of which have longitudinal black lines on the mantle. Many former members of Chromodoris were transferred to Goniobranchus
Hypselodoris tryoni is a species of sea slug, a dorid nudibranch, a marine gastropod mollusk in the genus Chromodorididae.
Chromodoris elisabethina is a species of very colourful sea slug, a dorid nudibranch, a marine gastropod mollusc in the family Chromodorididae.
Chromodoris lochi, common name Loch's chromodoris, is a species of colourful sea slug, a dorid nudibranch, a marine gastropod mollusk in the family Chromodorididae.
Mexichromis trilineata is a colourful species of sea slug, specifically a dorid nudibranch. This marine gastropod mollusc is in the family Chromodorididae. In 2012 the genus Pectenodoris was included into Mexichromis.
Chromodoris dianae is a species of sea slug, a dorid nudibranch, a shell-less marine gastropod mollusc in the family Chromodorididae.
Chromodoris michaeli is a species of colourful sea slug, a dorid nudibranch, a marine gastropod mollusk in the family Chromodorididae.
Chromodoris orientalis is a species of colourful sea slug, a dorid nudibranch, a marine gastropod mollusc in the family Chromodorididae. Sea slugs are generally very beautifully colored organisms with intense patterns and ranging in sizes. The Chromodoris orientalis specifically is a white sea slug with black spots in no particular pattern with a yellow, orange, or brown in color ring around its whole body and on its gills. There is much discussion on where it is found, what it eats, how it defends itself without a shell, and its reproduction methods. This is all sought after information because there is not much known about these animals.
Chromodoris striatella is a species of colourful sea slug, a dorid nudibranch, a marine gastropod mollusc in the family Chromodorididae.
Goniobranchus tasmaniensis is a species of colourful sea slug, a dorid nudibranch, a marine gastropod mollusc in the family Chromodorididae.
Doriprismatica sibogae is a species of sea slug, a dorid nudibranch, a shell-less marine gastropod mollusk in the family Chromodorididae.
Hypselodoris kaname is a species of sea slug or dorid nudibranch, a marine gastropod mollusk in the family Chromodorididae.
Hypselodoris jacksoni is a species of colourful sea slug or dorid nudibranch, a marine gastropod mollusk in the family Chromodorididae.
Mexichromis pusilla is a species of sea slug or dorid nudibranch, a marine gastropod mollusk in the family Chromodorididae.
Mexichromis similaris is a species of sea slug or dorid nudibranch, a marine gastropod mollusk in the family Chromodorididae.
Mexichromis circumflava is a species of sea slug or dorid nudibranch, a marine gastropod mollusk in the family Chromodorididae.
Doriprismatica kulonba is a species of sea slug, a dorid nudibranch, a shell-less marine gastropod mollusk in the family Chromodorididae. This species was found to belong in a clade with Doriprismatica atromarginata in a molecular phylogeny study.
