Mexichromis pusilla explained

Mexichromis pusilla is a species of sea slug or dorid nudibranch, a marine gastropod mollusk in the family Chromodorididae.^{[1] [2]}

Distribution

This nudibranch is found in the tropical Indo-Pacific Ocean.^[3]

Description

Mexichromis pusilla has a pink-orange body, gills and rhinophores. The mantle is edged with a broad pale yellow band, and there are two white spots on its dorsum. This species is easily confused with other similarly coloured nudibranchs, especially Verconia varians and Verconia norba.^{[4] [5] [6]}

This species can reach a total length of at least 20 mm, and like all Chromodorids, feeds on sponges.

Notes and References

1. Bouchet, P. (2012). Mexichromis pusilla. Accessed through: World Register of Marine Species at on 2012-05-28
2. Johnson R.F. & Gosliner T.M. (2012) Traditional taxonomic groupings mask evolutionary history: A molecular phylogeny and new classification of the chromodorid nudibranchs. PLoS ONE 7(4): e33479.
3. Rudman, W.B., 1999 (November 6) Durvilledoris pusilla (Bergh, 1874). [In] Sea Slug Forum. Australian Museum, Sydney.
4. Rudman, W. B. (1986) The Chromodorididae (Opisthobranchia: Mollusca) of the Indo-West Pacific: Noumea purpurea and Chromodoris decora colour groups. Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society 86(4): 309-353
5. Rudman W.B. (1990) The Chromodorididae (Opisthobranchia: Mollusca) of the Indo-West Pacific: further species of Glossodoris, Thorunna and the Chromodoris aureomarginata colour group. Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society 100: 263-326 page(s): 287
6. Gosliner, T.M., Behrens, D.W. & Valdés, Á. (2008) Indo-Pacific Nudibranchs and seaslugs. A field guide to the world's most diverse fauna. Sea Challengers Natural History Books, Washington, 426 pp. page(s): 256