Family
Bornellid nudibranchs
Bornellidae
- Species in the gallery
- 1
- Genera
- 1
Back to superfamily Dendronotid nudibranchsBack to sub-order Cladobranch nudibranchsBack to order NudibranchsBack to the gallery
Description
Bornellidae is a small family of cladobranch nudibranchs containing the single genus Bornella, with about a dozen species. Most live in the tropical Indo-West Pacific. They feed on hydroids. Unlike most nudibranchs, Bornella can swim by flexing the body from side to side like an eel, and the cerata can be shed when the animal is attacked.
Identification
Elongate, laterally compressed slugs with a few pairs of tall, branched or finger-like dorsal processes (cerata) along the back, often with gills at their base. Each rhinophore rises from a sheath crowned with finger-like papillae, which looks like a small crown or 'antler' beside the rhinophore. Many species are orange, white or yellow with bold lines or spots.
Genera
1 species
Sources (2)
Share link: https://seaslugs.org.il/family/Bornellidae/