Ancula pacifica

Ancula pacifica is a species of sea slugs, a dorid nudibranch, a marine gastropod mollusc in the family Goniodorididae.

Ancula pacifica
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:
Ancula
Species:
A. pacifica
Binomial name
Ancula pacifica
Synonyms

? Ancula gibbosa Risso, 1818

Distribution

This species was first described from Monterey Bay, California.

Description

This goniodorid nudibranch is translucent white in color with orange lines on the body. There is a mid dorsal line and lines along the pallial margin, which may be continuous or interrupted. The pre-rhinophoral papillae and gills are tipped with orange and there is a line of orange pigment along the ridge of the tail. There are 4-14 club-shaped extra-branchial papillae which are translucent white with orange or yellow tips. Small papillae with orange tips typically occur between larger papillae with pale yellow tips.[2] Individuals without the lines on the body occur in some populations. Although currently considered to be a synonym of the European species Ancula gibbosa there are significant differences in color and shape of the extra-branchial papillae and this is probably a distinct species.

Ecology

Ancula pacifica probably feeds on Entoprocta which often grow on hydroids, bryozoa and other living substrata.

References
  1. MacFarland, Frank Mace. 1905. A Preliminary Account of the Dorididae of Monterey Bay, California. Proceedings of the Biological Society of Washington. 18:35-54.
  2. Rudman, W.B., 2000 (March 24) Ancula gibbosa (Risso, 1818). [In] Sea Slug Forum. Australian Museum, Sydney.
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