Summary
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 willani | |
|---|---|
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| Chromodoris willani at Verde Island in the Philippines | |
Scientific classification 
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| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Mollusca |
| Class: | Gastropoda |
| Subclass: | Heterobranchia |
| Order: | Nudibranchia |
| Suborder: | Doridina |
| Superfamily: | Doridoidea |
| Family: | Chromodorididae |
| Genus: | Chromodoris |
| Species: | C. willani
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| Binomial name | |
| Chromodoris willani | |
Distribution edit
This nudibranch is found in the Western Pacific Ocean, from Indonesia and the Philippines to Vanuatu.[2]
Description edit
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 edit
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]
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Pale blue individuals of Chromodoris willani -
White form of Chromodoris willani -
Blue form of Chromodoris willani -
Browny form of Chromodoris willani in Wakatobi National Park, 2016
References edit
- ^ 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
- ^ Chromodoris willani Rudman, 1982. Sea Slug Forum, accessed 8 December 2009
- ^ Debelius H. (2001) Nudibranchs and Sea Snails: Indo-Pacific Field Guide. IKAN, Unterwasserarchiv, Frankfurt, Germany.
- ^ Rudman, W.B., 1998 (November 29) Chromodoris willani Rudman, 1982. [In] Sea Slug Forum. Australian Museum, Sydney.
- ^ 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 edit
- Photos of Chromodoris willani on Sealife Collection