Okenia pellucida explained

Okenia pellucida is a species of sea slug, specifically a dorid nudibranch, a marine gastropod mollusc in the family Goniodorididae.

Distribution

This species was described from south-eastern Australia. It is known from the United Arab Emirates, India, Malaysia, New Zealand, Palmyra Atoll and Japan.[1]

Description

This Okenia has a narrow body and eleven or twelve pairs of short lateral papillae. There are a few papillae on the back, between the rhinophores and the gills. The body is translucent and covered with a reticulate pattern of brown lines. It is similar in shape and arrangement of the papillae to Okenia angelensis, Okenia zoobotryon and Okenia distincta.

Ecology

The diet of this species is a bryozoan, Amathia verticillata which is a common fouling organism which is transported on ships' hulls.

Notes and References

  1. http://www.seaslugforum.net/factsheet/okenpell Rudman, W.B., 2004 (December 21) Okenia pellucida Burn, 1967. [In] Sea Slug Forum. Australian Museum, Sydney.]