Verconia varians explained

Verconia varians is a species of colorful sea slug, a dorid nudibranch, a shell-less marine gastropod mollusk in the family Chromodorididae.^[1]

Distribution

This marine species is widely distributed in the Indo-Pacific from Indonesia to the Hawaiian Islands.^[2]

Description

• Body: translucent coloration with a segmented white stripe on the midline, a white mantle margin, and a magenta submarginal line.
• Rhinophores: translucent base with orange tips
• Gills: translucent base with magenta tips

This species is one of several chromodorids that vibrate their gills. Up to 20 mm in length.

References

• Pease, W.H. 1871. Descriptions of new nudibranchiate Mollusca inhabiting Polynesia. American Journal of Conchology 7: 11-20
• Marshall, J.G. & Willan, R.C. 1999. Nudibranchs of Heron Island, Great Barrier Reef. Leiden : Backhuys 257 pp.

Notes and References

1. Rudman W.B. (1984) The Chromodorididae (Opisthobranchia: Mollusca) of the Indo-West Pacific: a review of the genera. Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society 81 (2/3): 115-273.page(s): 143 Accessed through: World Register of Marine Species at http://www.marinespecies.org/aphia.php?p=taxdetails&id=558469 on 2012-02-25
2. Web site: Verconia varians: Main page.