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| nudibranchs text index | photo index |
| Phylum Mollusca > Class Gastropoda > sea slugs > Order Nudibranchia |
| Gymnodoris
nudibranchs Gymnodoris sp. Family Gymnodorididae updated Nov 08 Where seen? These nudibranchs with orange spots are sometimes seen on some of our shores. Features: 1-4cm long. Body white with orange spots. Their comical patterns may warn other animals not to mess with them. Some Gymnodoris nudibranch secrete nasty acids and chemicals. What do they eat? Gymnodoris species are said to be 'voracious predators' of other sea slugs like nudibranchs, sacoglossans and sea hares. There are several gymnodoris species that are white with orange spots: Gymnodoris ceylonica: According to Rudman, it has a translucent white body with small bright orange-red spots; large gills with orange lines. It preys on the Long-tailed hairy sea hare (Stylocheilus longicauda). This nudibranch lays eggs in 'strings' that look more like sea hare egg masses. It is widespread in the Indo-West Pacific. Gymnodoris rubropapulosa: According to Rudman, compared to Gymnodoris ceylonica, it has much larger orange spots which are more densely arranged, the body is longer and gills relatively small. There are also major anatomical differences. It has a wide Indo-West Pacific distribution and is known from Indonesia and Singapore and recently reported from Hong Kong and Tanzania. It eats Ceratosoma sp. Gymnodoris citrina: According to Rudman, they even cannibalise one another. In fact, during reproduction, one will eat the other as they mate! Gymnodoris alba: According to Rudman, white with orange spots; an orange border on the mantle at the head, end of the foot has an orange tip, gills translucent, rhinophores translucted tipped orange. One was reported eating an aeolid nudibranch. Tiny black gymnodoris: unidentified tiny slugs, black with yellow spots. |
Gymnodoris nudibranchs on Singapore shores
| Unidentified
Gymnodoris sp. #060102sisg3720 About 2cm long. Among seaweeds. Sisters Island, Jan 06 |
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| Unidentified
Gymnodoris sp. #060612cftg6141 About 1cm long. Among seagrasses. Changi Jun 06 |
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IKAN-Unterwasserachiv, Frankfurt. 321 pp.|
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