Dendronotus albopunctatus

Dendronotus albopunctatus is a species of sea slug, a dendronotid nudibranch, a shell-less marine gastropod mollusc in the family Dendronotidae.[2]

Dendronotus albopunctatus
Scientific classification
Kingdom:
Animalia
Phylum:
Mollusca
Class:
Gastropoda
(unranked):
clade Heterobranchia

clade Euthyneura
clade Nudipleura
clade Nudibranchia
clade Dexiarchia
clade Cladobranchia

clade Dendronotida
Superfamily:
Tritonioidea
Family:
Dendronotidae
Genus:
Dendronotus
Species:
D. albopunctatus
Binomial name
Dendronotus albopunctatus
Robilliard, 1972[1]

Distribution

This species can be found on the Pacific Ocean coast of North America.[3]

Description

Dendronotus albopunctatus is a large dendronotid nudibranch, growing to at least 60 mm in length. The body is translucent white with a red-brown hue on the back. There are opaque white spots on the sides and back of the body, velar processes and rhinophore sheaths. The body shape is similar to Dendronotus robustus, with a broad foot.[4]

Feeding habits

This species feeds on hydroids.[4]

References
  1. Robilliard, G.A. 1972. A new species of Dendronotus from the northeastern Pacific with notes on Dendronotus nanus and Dendronotus robustus (Mollusca: Opisthobranchia). Canadian Journal of Zoology, 50: 421–432.
  2. Bouchet, P. (2015). Dendronotus albopunctatus. In: MolluscaBase (2015). Accessed through: World Register of Marine Species on 2016-01-27.
  3. Stout C.C., Pola M. & Valdés Á. (2010) Phylogenetic analysis of Dendronotus nudibranchs with emphasis on northeastern Pacific species. Journal of Molluscan Studies 76: 367-375. page(s): 373
  4. Behrens, D. W., & Hermosillo, A. (2005) Eastern Pacific nudibranchs, a guide to the opisthobranchs from Alaska to Central America. vi + 137 pp., 314 photos. Sea Challengers, Monterey, California, page 93.
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