Ancula pacifica

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Ancula pacifica
Scientific classification
Kingdom:
Phylum:
Mollusca
Class:
Gastropoda
(unranked):
clade Heterobranchia

clade Euthyneura
clade Nudipleura
clade Nudibranchia
clade Euctenidiacea

clade Doridacea
Superfamily:
Family:
Genus:
Species:
A. pacifica
Binomial name
Ancula pacifica
Synonyms

? Ancula gibbosa Risso, 1818

Ancula pacifica is a species of sea slugs, a dorid nudibranch, a marine gastropod mollusc in the family Goniodorididae.

Distribution[]

This species was first described from Monterey Bay, California.

Description[]

This goniodorid nudibranch is translucent white in color with orange lines on the body. There is a mid dorsal line and lines along the pallial margin which may be continuous or interrupted. The pre-rhinophoral papillae and gills are tipped with orange and there is a line of orange pigment along the ridge of the tail. There are 4-14 club-shaped extra-branchial papillae which are translucent white with orange or yellow tips. Small papillae with orange tips typically occur between larger papillae with pale yellow tips.[2] Individuals without the lines on the body occur in some populations. Although currently considered to be a synonym of the European species Ancula gibbosa there are significant differences in color and shape of the extra-branchial papillae and this is probably a distinct species.

Ecology[]

Ancula pacifica probably feeds on Entoprocta which often grow on hydroids, bryozoa and other living substrata.

References[]

  1. ^ MacFarland, Frank Mace. 1905. A Preliminary Account of the Dorididae of Monterey Bay, California. Proceedings of the Biological Society of Washington. 18:35-54.
  2. ^ Rudman, W.B., 2000 (March 24) Ancula gibbosa (Risso, 1818). [In] Sea Slug Forum. Australian Museum, Sydney.
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