| Phidiana hiltoni | |
|---|---|
 | |
 | |
| Phidiana hiltoni in a Central California tide pool | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | |
| Phylum: | |
| Class: | |
| (unranked): | |
| Superfamily: | |
| Family: | |
| Genus: | |
| Species: | P. hiltoni |
| Binomial name | |
| Phidiana hiltoni O'Donoghue, 1927 | |
| Synonyms | |
| |
Phidiana hiltoni is a species of sea slug, an aeolid nudibranch, a shell-less marine gastropod mollusc in the family Facelinidae. [1]
This species has a rather limited range of distribution, being found from the central California coast to Baja California, Mexico, and it is also found in the Gulf of Mexico. Recently, its range has been extending north and is now found north of San Francisco Bay.
This nudibranch grows to 50 mm, or a little more than 2 inches in length. The reddish or brownish line across its head is almost always present, and is very characteristic of the species.
This species can be confused with Hermissenda crassicornis , which is superficially similar in appearance.
This solid nudibranch species is considered to be rather aggressive, often biting and fighting with other nudibranchs, including members of its own species.
Nudibranchs are a group of soft-bodied marine gastropod molluscs that shed their shells after their larval stage. They are noted for their often extraordinary colours and striking forms, and they have been given colourful nicknames to match, such as "clown", "marigold", "splendid", "dancer", "dragon", and "sea rabbit". Currently, about 3,000 valid species of nudibranchs are known.
Glaucus atlanticus is a species of small, blue sea slug, a pelagic (open-ocean) aeolid nudibranch, a shell-less gastropod mollusk in the family Glaucidae.
Phidiana militaris is a species of sea slug, an aeolid nudibranch, a marine gastropod mollusc in the family Aeolidiidae.
Diaulula sandiegensis is a species of sea slug, a dorid nudibranch, a shell-less marine gastropod mollusc in the family Discodorididae.
Aeolidia papillosa, known as the common grey sea slug, is a species of nudibranch in the family Aeolidiidae.
The purple lady nudibranch, Paraflabellina funeka, is a species of aeolid nudibranch, and is a very colourful sea slug. It is a marine gastropod mollusc in the family Flabellinidae.
The white-edged nudibranch, Coryphella capensis, previously known as Fjordia capensis, is a species of sea slug, specifically an aeolid nudibranch, a colourful sea slug. It is a marine gastropod mollusc in the family Coryphellidae.
Caloria indica is a species of sea slug, an aeolid nudibranch, a marine gastropod mollusc in the family Facelinidae.
Phidiana is a genus of sea slugs, aeolid nudibranchs, marine gastropod molluscs in the family Facelinidae.
Flabellina bertschi is a species of sea slug, an aeolid nudibranch, a marine gastropod mollusc in the family Flabellinidae.
Kynaria cynara is a species of sea slug, an aeolid nudibranch, a marine gastropod mollusc in the family Flabellinidae.
Orienthella fogata is a species of sea slug, an aeolid nudibranch, a marine gastropod mollusk in the family Flabellinidae.
Apata pricei is a species of sea slug, an aeolid nudibranch, a marine heterobranch mollusc in the family Apataidae.
Samla telja is a species of sea slug, an aeolid nudibranch, a marine heterobranch mollusc in the family Samlidae.
Abronica abronia, common name graceful aeolid, is a species of sea slug, an aeolid nudibranch, a marine gastropod mollusc in the family Abronicidae.
Adfacelina medinai is a species of sea slug, an aeolid nudibranch, a marine gastropod mollusc in the family Facelinidae.
Bajaeolis bertschi is a species of sea slug, specifically an aeolid nudibranch. It is a marine gastropod mollusc in the family Facelinidae.
Hermosita hakunamatata is a brightly coloured species of sea slug, specifically an aeolid nudibranch. It is a marine gastropod mollusc in the family Facelinidae.
Eubranchus rupium, the green balloon aeolid, is a species of sea slug or nudibranch, a marine gastropod mollusc in the family Eubranchidae.
Phidiana lynceus is a species of sea slug in the genus Phidiana, an aeolidina nudibranch, a marine gastropod mollusc in the family Facelinidae.
