Chromodoris willani

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Chromodoris willani
Chromodoris willani at Verde Island in the Philippines
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Mollusca
Class: Gastropoda
Subclass: Heterobranchia
Order: Nudibranchia
Suborder: Doridina
Superfamily: Doridoidea
Family: Chromodorididae
Genus: Chromodoris
Species:
C. willani
Binomial name
Chromodoris willani
Rudman, 1982 [1]

Chromodoris willani, commonly known as Willan's chromodoris, is a

mollusk in the family Chromodorididae
. The species is named for the renowned nudibranch taxonomist Dr. Richard C. Willan.

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

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]

  • Pale blue individuals of Chromodoris willani
    Pale blue individuals of Chromodoris willani
  • White form of Chromodoris willani
    White form of Chromodoris willani
  • Blue form of Chromodoris willani
    Blue form of Chromodoris willani
  • Browny form of Chromodoris willani in Wakatobi National Park, 2016
    Browny form of Chromodoris willani in Wakatobi National Park, 2016

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.

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Chromodoris willani.
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