Chromodoris willani

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Chromodoris willani
Babosa de mar (Chromodoris willani), Anilao, Filipinas, 2023-08-24, DD 34.jpg
Chromodoris willani in the Philippines
Scientific classification OOjs UI icon edit-ltr.svg
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Mollusca
Class: Gastropoda
Order: Nudibranchia
Family: Chromodorididae
Genus: Chromodoris
Species:
C. willani
Binomial name
Chromodoris willani
Rudman, 1982 [1]

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.

Contents

Distribution

This nudibranch is found in the Western Pacific Ocean, from Indonesia and the Philippines to Vanuatu. [2]

Description

Chromodoris willani is similar in appearance to Chromodoris lochi , Chromodoris boucheti and Chromodoris dianae . This species can be distinguished by the very prominent white specks found on the gills and rhinophores. [3]

Individuals in this species can range in color from dark blue to a translucent white. All have black stripes with the center-most stripe typically being non-continuous. [4]

Ecology

Chromodoris willani, like many other nudibranchs, feeds on sponges. It has been reported to eat Cacospongia mycofijiensis and Semitaspongia , both in the family Thorectidae. [5]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Chromodorididae</span> Family of gastropods

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.

<i>Chromodoris annae</i> Species of gastropod

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.

<i>Chromodoris magnifica</i> Species of gastropod

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.

<i>Hypselodoris tryoni</i> Species of gastropod

Hypselodoris tryoni is a species of sea slug, a dorid nudibranch, a marine gastropod mollusk in the genus Chromodorididae.

<i>Goniobranchus coi</i> Species of gastropod

Goniobranchus coi is a species of very colourful sea slug, a dorid nudibranch, a marine gastropod mollusc in the family Chromodorididae.

<i>Chromodoris elisabethina</i> Species of gastropod

Chromodoris elisabethina is a species of very colourful sea slug, a dorid nudibranch, a marine gastropod mollusc in the family Chromodorididae.

<i>Chromodoris lochi</i> Species of gastropod

Chromodoris lochi, common name Loch's chromodoris, or Loch’s chromodoris slug, is a species of colourful sea slug, a dorid nudibranch, a marine gastropod mollusk in the family Chromodorididae.

<i>Chromodoris westraliensis</i> Species of gastropod

Chromodoris westraliensis is a species of very colourful sea slug, a dorid nudibranch, a marine gastropod mollusc in the family Chromodorididae.

<i>Ceratosoma amoenum</i> Species of gastropod

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.

<i>Chromodoris dianae</i> Species of gastropod

Chromodoris dianae is a species of sea slug, a dorid nudibranch, a shell-less marine gastropod mollusc in the family Chromodorididae.

<i>Chromodoris strigata</i> Species of mollusc

Chromodoris strigata, commonly known as the streaked chromodoris, is a species of colourful sea slug, a dorid nudibranch, a marine gastropod mollusc in the family Chromodorididae.

<i>Chromodoris michaeli</i> Species of gastropod

Chromodoris michaeli is a species of colourful sea slug, a 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.

<i>Hypselodoris maritima</i> Species of gastropod

Hypselodoris maritima is a species of colourful sea slug or dorid nudibranch, a marine gastropod mollusk in the family Chromodorididae.

<i>Mexichromis pusilla</i> Species of gastropod

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 lemniscata is a species of colourful 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.

<i>Mexichromis macropus</i> Species of gastropod

Mexichromis macropus is a species of sea slug, a dorid nudibranch, a shell-less marine gastropod mollusk in the family Chromodorididae.

<i>Goniobranchus leopardus</i> Species of gastropod

Goniobranchus leopardus, is a species of colourful sea slug, a dorid nudibranch, a marine gastropod mollusc in the family Chromodorididae.

References

  1. Rudman, W.B. 1982. The Chromodorididae (Opisthobranchia: Mollusca) of the Indo-West Pacific: Chromodoris quadricolor, C. lineolata and Hypselodoris nigrolineata colour groups. Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society, 76: 183–241. page(s): 193
  2. Chromodoris willani Rudman, 1982. Sea Slug Forum, accessed 8 December 2009
  3. Debelius H. (2001) Nudibranchs and Sea Snails: Indo-Pacific Field Guide. IKAN, Unterwasserarchiv, Frankfurt, Germany.
  4. Rudman, W.B., 1998 (November 29) Chromodoris willani Rudman, 1982. [In] Sea Slug Forum. Australian Museum, Sydney.
  5. Rudman W.B. & Bergquist, P.R., 2007. "A review of feeding specificity in the sponge-feeding Chromodorididae (Nudibranchia: Mollusca). Molluscan Research 27(2): 60–88.