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Chromodorididae
Family

chromodorids

Chromodorididae

Species in the gallery
61
Genera
13

Description

Chromodorididae is the largest family of dorid nudibranchs (superfamily Doridoidea), with more than 300 species in genera such as Chromodoris, Goniobranchus, Hypselodoris, Felimare, Felimida, Doriprismatica and Glossodoris. Members occur in tropical and temperate seas worldwide and are especially diverse on Indo-West Pacific reefs; several species live in the Mediterranean and the Red Sea. They feed on sponges and store distasteful chemicals from them, advertising this with bright warning colours. Many species flap or lift the mantle edge, which contains glands holding these defensive compounds.

Identification

Smooth, soft-bodied dorids, usually elongate, with a smooth mantle and bold colours: stripes, spots and contrasting mantle borders in blue, purple, yellow, orange, red or white. The gills form a plume on the rear of the back and, like the lamellate rhinophores, can be withdrawn into pockets. The smooth, bright mantle separates them from the rough, cryptic Discodorididae.

Genera

61 species

Sources (2)

Share link: https://seaslugs.org.il/family/Chromodorididae/

Chromodorididae