Dendronotus rufus explained

Dendronotus rufus is a species of sea slug, a dendronotid nudibranch, a shell-less marine gastropod mollusc in the family Dendronotidae.^[1]

Distribution

This species was described from specimens dredged at 22–38 m depth between Brandon Island and Departure Bay and from Nanoose Bay, British Columbia. It can be found on the Pacific Ocean coast of North America from Auke Bay, Alaska to Seattle, Washington, United States.^[2]

Biology

This species feeds on hydroids and scyphozoans.^[3] It has been suggested that this species defends it eggs from starfish predators.^[4]

Notes and References

1. Bouchet, P. (2015). Dendronotus rufus. In: MolluscaBase (2015). Accessed through: World Register of Marine Species on 2016-02-08.
2. Stout C.C., Pola M. & Valdés Á. (2010) Phylogenetic analysis of Dendronotus nudibranchs with emphasis on northeastern Pacific species. Journal of Molluscan Studies 76: 367-375. page(s): 373
3. Behrens, D. W., & Hermosillo, A. (2005) Eastern Pacific nudibranchs, a guide to the opisthobranchs from Alaska to Central America. vi + 137 pp., 314 photos. Sea Challengers, Monterey, California, page 95.
4. Rudman, W.B., 2006 (January 31) Dendronotus rufus O'Donoghue, 1921. [In] Sea Slug Forum. Australian Museum, Sydney.