Goniodoris mercurialis

Goniodoris mercurialis is a species of sea slug, a dorid nudibranch, a marine gastropod mollusc in the family Goniodorididae.

Goniodoris mercurialis
Scientific classification
Kingdom:
Animalia
Phylum:
Mollusca
Class:
Gastropoda
(unranked):
clade Heterobranchia
clade Euthyneura
clade Nudipleura
clade Nudibranchia
clade Euctenidiacea
clade Doridacea
Superfamily:
Onchidoridoidea
Family:
Goniodorididae
Genus:
Goniodoris
Species:
G. mercurialis
Binomial name
Goniodoris mercurialis
Macnae, 1958[1]

Distribution

This species was first described from False Bay, South Africa. It is found on both sides of the Cape Peninsula.[2]

Description

This goniodorid nudibranch is translucent tan in colour, with large areas of white surface pigment on the oral tentacles and the back and sides of the body.

Ecology

Goniodoris mercurialis feeds on colonial ascidians.

References
  1. Macnae, W., 1958. The families Polyceridae and Goniodorididae (Mollusca, Nudibranchiata) in southern Africa. Transactions Royal Society South Africa 35(4), 341-372. (Pls.17-18)
  2. Gosliner, T. 1987. Nudibranchs of southern Africa: A guide to Opisthobranch molluscs of southern Africa Sea. Challengers, Monterey.
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