2026 · Photo: Boaz Liebes
Mexichromis aurora
Philippines · Indo Pacific - South China Sea
- Size
- 6–8 mm
- Depth
- 10–58 m
- Native range
- Western Pacific: southern Japan, the Philippines and Indonesia
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Description
A tiny pink chromodorid described in 1998 as Pectenodoris aurora from Okinawa and named after Aurora, Roman goddess of the dawn, for its sunrise colours. Molecular work moved it to Mexichromis. It has unusually large mantle glands at the rear of the mantle.
Share link: https://seaslugs.org.il/species/mexichromis-aurora-phillipines-indo-pacific-south-china-sea/
Identification
Usually under 10 mm. Light pink body darkening to maroon at the mantle edge and the tip of the foot. Three parallel whitish-yellow bands, each outlined in opaque white, run from the rhinophores to the gill; the central band encircles the gill. Dark pink to purple spots between and beside the bands. Rhinophores and 6–9 gills dark orange with a single white band across the middle.
Similar species
Mexichromis trilineata also has three longitudinal lines; M. aurora is recognised by the purple spots between the bands and its orange rhinophores and gills with a white central band. Other pink members of the 'decora colour group' (e.g. Hypselodoris maculosa, Thorunna australis) lack the three-band pattern.
Habitat & diet
Habitat
Reefs; recorded from 10 to 58 m.
Food
Like other chromodorids, presumably feeds on sponges.