Dendronotus iris
Cooper, 1863
» If you find this species has been misidentified, please let us know
Identification is verified by Gary McDonald, Nudi Pixel expert
Comment from Gary McDonald: the white line on the edge of the foot is one of the characters that help separate this species from other species of Dendronotus, another character is the vertical row of 3–6 small, slightly branched processes on the posterior face of the rhinophore shaft .
Below is comment from Dr. Bill Rudman, go to Sea Slug Forum to read more information
Thanks Marli,
It does look rather comical. For those of you unfamiliar with these animals, Dendronotus iris feeds on this tube forming sea anemone, Pachycerianthus fimbriatus, which is able to witdraw rapidly into its tube when attacked. The white 'nose' on the nudibranch is ist everted buccal bulb, which contains the buccal mass and radular teeth which it uses - when successful - to grasp and bight the sea anemone. As you say, this is a good illustration of how little they can see.
Concerning colour variation. I know nothing about colour in these species.. Perhaps they retain pigments from their food, but that would mean the Pachycerianthus was variable in colour, or perhaps its genetic varaibility.
Best wishes,
Bill Rudman
Comment from the photographer: This is the orange colour form, rather than the usual white. The animal is attacking its food, a tube dwelling anemone.
| Location: | British Columbia, Canada |
| Photographer: | Marli Wakeling |
| Camera: | Nikon Coolscan V ED › View EXIF properties |
| Taken on: | January 13, 2008 |
| Viewed: | 261 times |
| Posted: | 6 months ago |
| Updated: | 6 months ago |
« Diaulula sandiegensis | Other nudibranch photos (page 373) | Dendronotus albus »
Other photos of Dendronotus iris
Scientific Classification
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Mollusca |
| Class: | Gastropoda |
| Subclass: | Opisthobranchia |
| Order: | Nudibranchia |
| Suborder: | Dendronotina |
| Family: | Dendronotidae |
| Species: | Dendronotus iris |
