| Hypselodoris pulchella | |
|---|---|
 | |
| The nudibranch, Hypselodoris pulchella, Mirissa, Sri Lanka. | |
Scientific classification  | |
| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Mollusca |
| Class: | Gastropoda |
| Order: | Nudibranchia |
| Family: | Chromodorididae |
| Genus: | Hypselodoris |
| Species: | H. pulchella |
| Binomial name | |
| Hypselodoris pulchella (Ruppell & Leuckart, 1828) [1] | |
| Synonyms [2] | |
| |
Hypselodoris pulchella is a species of sea slug, a dorid nudibranch, a marine gastropod mollusk in the family Chromodorididae. [3] [2]
Hypselodoris pulchella is a long slender species with a body size up to 80 mm or even 110 mm. The mantle edges are well extended along the body, with a thin bluish border. The mantle and the foot are creamy white, covered with numerous small rounded yellowish-orange spots of different sizes. There is always a diffuse pattern of pale violet-brown on the back; this is absent in the similar species Hypselodoris ghardaqana . The sensory tentacles (the antennae like rhinophores) are bluish. The main respiratory organs (gills) vary from bluish to orange. These sea slugs usually raise and lower rhythmically their head, vibrating their gills. [4] They often show a characteristic 'trailing' behaviour, with two individuals following closely each other. This species feeds on sponges. [5] [6] [7] [8]
This species was described from the Red Sea. Hypselodoris pulchella is found in the Red Sea and the Indian Ocean from Kenya and Tanzania, the Comores, Réunion to Sri Lanka, Thailand and the Philippines. [9]
This benthic species can be found at a depth of 3–30 meters. [10]
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 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.
Goniobranchus geminus, also known as the gem sea slug, is a species of very colourful sea slug, a dorid nudibranch, a marine gastropod mollusc in the family Chromodorididae.
Hypselodoris infucata is a species of colourful sea slug or dorid nudibranch, a marine gastropod mollusk in the family Chromodorididae.
Goniobranchus annulatus is a species of sea slug, a very colourful dorid nudibranch, a shell-less marine gastropod mollusc in the family Chromodorididae.
Risbecia is a genus of colorful sea slugs, dorid nudibranchs, shell-less marine gastropod mollusks in the family Chromodorididae.
Goniobranchus loringi is a species of colourful sea slug, a dorid nudibranch, a marine gastropod mollusc in the family Chromodorididae. This species was transferred from Chromodoris to Goniobranchus in 2012.
Doriprismatica plumbea is a species of sea slug, a dorid nudibranch, a shell-less marine gastropod mollusk 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 imperialis is a species of sea slug, a dorid nudibranch, a marine gastropod mollusk in the family Chromodorididae.
Hypselodoris ghardaqana is a species of sea slug, a dorid nudibranch, a marine gastropod mollusk in the family Chromodorididae.
Hypselodoris nigrostriata is a species of sea slug or dorid nudibranch, a 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 flavomarginata is a species of sea slug or dorid nudibranch, a marine gastropod mollusk in the family Chromodorididae.
Hypselodoris lacteola is a species of sea slug or dorid nudibranch, a marine gastropod mollusk in the family Chromodorididae.
Hypselodoris maritima is a species of colourful sea slug or dorid nudibranch, a marine gastropod mollusk in the family Chromodorididae.
Hypselodoris nigrolineata is a species of colourful 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.
