Chromodoris michaeli

Chromodoris michaeli is a species of colourful sea slug, a dorid nudibranch, a marine gastropod mollusk in the family Chromodorididae.[2]

Chromodoris michaeli
Chromodoris michaeli in Cebu, Philippines
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Mollusca
Class: Gastropoda
Subclass: Heterobranchia
Order: Nudibranchia
Suborder: Doridina
Superfamily: Doridoidea
Family: Chromodorididae
Genus: Chromodoris
Species:
C. michaeli
Binomial name
Chromodoris michaeli
Gosliner & Behrens, 1998[1]

Distribution

Chromodoris michaeli is widespread in the Philippines.[1]

Description

Chromodoris michaeli reaches a length of about 24–46 mm.[1] The upper surface of the body appears powdery blue, with white, black and orange bands encircling the mantle along the edges. Said black band is usually wider towards the middle. Within the boundaries of the black band there are a few black spots. The edge of the triangular bluish foot is orange and extended posteriorly beyond the notum. The sensory tentacles (the antennae-like rhinophores) and the main respiratory organs (gills) are orange.[1][3]

Habitat

This species can be found on reefs at a depth of about 22 m.[1]

Ecology

Chromodoris michaeli, like many other nudibranchs, feeds on sponges. It has been reported to eat Negombata sp., in the family Podospongiidae.[4][5]

References
  1. Gosliner T.M. & Behrens D.W. (1998) "Five new species of Chromodoris (Molluscs: Nudibranchia: Chromodorididae) from the tropical Indo-Pacific Ocean." Proceedings of the California Academy of Sciences (4) 50(5): 139-165., page(s): 150-155
  2. MolluscaBase (2018). Chromodoris michaeli Gosliner & Behrens, 1998. Accessed on 2019-01-27.
  3. Gosliner, T.M., Behrens, D.W. & Valdés, Á., 2018. Nudibranch and Sea Slug Identification - Indo-Pacific. New World Publications; 2nd Revised, Updated edition. 452 pp. ISBN 1878348671, ISBN 978-1878348678, p. 135
  4. 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.
  5. Rudman, W.B., 2001 (June 21) Chromodoris michaeli Gosliner & Behrens, 1998. [In] Sea Slug Forum. Australian Museum, Sydney.
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