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Phylum Mollusca > Class Gastropoda > sea slugs > Order Nudibranchia
Denison's nudibranch
Dendrodoris denisoni
Family Dendrodorididae
updated Oct 08
Where seen? This delightfully bobbled nudibranch with electric blue spots is sometimes seen among seagrasses and seaweeds on our Northern shores, as well as at Cyrene Reef. Often seen in numbers, and then not seen again for some time.

Features: 6-10cm long. Broad, soft body with lots of bumps and pimples, and distinctive electric blue spots. Thick club-like rhinophores and large feathery gills. The animal is generally beige sometimes with a purplish or pinkish tinge. Some members of this family can cause irritation to eyes and a burning sensation to the skin.

What does it eat? It eats sponges, possibly sponges that live in murky, mucky sites. It lacks a radula and jaws so it can't rasp or chew its food sponge. Instead, it secretes digestive juices onto the sponge and then sucks up the softened sponge. How is it the juices don't leak away into the surrounding water? Dr Bill Rudman explains on his website about how structures around the mouth might help it form a seal around the feeding site.


Pulau Sekudu, May 05
 

Denison's nudibranchs on Singapore shores


Beting Bronok, Jul 07

Underside.


Pulau Sekudu, Jan 06


Pulau Sekudu, Apr 06
Mating and laying eggs.
Photos shared by Loh Kok Sheng on his blog.

Pulau Semakau, Nov 07
Photo shared by Toh Chay Hoon on her flickr.

Chek Jawa, Jun 09

more photos of denisoni's nudibranchs on Singapore shores
northern shores part 1 | part 2
southern shores

Links
References
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