Acanthodoris planca explained

Acanthodoris planca (fluffy nudibranch) is a species of dorid nudibranch. It is a marine gastropod mollusc in the family Onchidorididae.^[1]

Distribution

This species was described from Cove Rock, False Bay, South Africa. It is found off South Africa on both sides of the Cape Peninsula in shallow water. It is endemic to South Africa.^[2] Specimens from Table Bay, Western Cape Province and Tsitsikamma Coastal National Park, Eastern Cape Province have been sequenced for the 16S ribosomal RNA, Histone H3 and CO1 genes.^{[3] [4]}

Description

The fluffy nudibranch is a small tan-coloured dorid with a nippled surface. The animal may reach 20 mm in total length.^{[5] [6]}

Notes and References

1. Bouchet, P. (2015). Acanthodoris planca Fahey & Valdés, 2005. In: MolluscaBase (2015). Accessed through: World Register of Marine Species on 2016-01-11
2. Gosliner, T.M. (1987) Nudibranchs of Southern Africa. page 91, as Acanthodoris sp.
3. Hallas, JM and Gosliner, TM. (2015) Family Matters: the first molecular phylogeny of the Onchidorididae (Mollusca, Gastropoda, Nudibranchia). Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution, 88: 16-27.
4. Hallas, J.M., Simison, W.B. & Gosliner, T.M. (2016) Dating and biogeographical patterns in the sea slug genus Acanthodoris Gray, 1850 (Mollusca, Gastropoda, Nudibranchia). Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution, 97: 19-31.
5. Zsilavecz, G. (2007) Nudibranchs of the Cape Peninsula and False Bay. page 52, as Acanthodoris sp.
6. Fahey, S.J. & Valdés, A, 2005 (September 18) Acanthodoris planca Fahey & Valdés, 2005. [In] Sea Slug Forum. Australian Museum, Sydney.

   Ecology

   The egg ribbon of the fluffy nudibranch is an irregular wavy white collar.

   References