Paradoris liturata
(Bergh, 1905)
Photographed by: Graham Abbott
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Mollusca |
| Class: | Gastropoda |
| Subclass: | Opisthobranchia |
| Order: | Nudibranchia |
| Suborder: | Doridina |
| Family: | Discodorididae |
| Species: | Paradoris liturata |
Comment from Richard Willan on photo #739
A member of the family Discodorididae that mimics Phyllidiella pustulosa (Phyllidiidae). This is a good photo to portray and ‘expose’ this species because the gills are clearly visible, but when they are retracted the resemblance is perfect. In contrast, Aldisa williamsi (family Dorididae), which is probably also part of this mimicry complex, has a greenish background with large black areas, its rhinophores are pale yellow, and its gills are black.Comment from Richard Willan on photo #3814
This dorid is a marvellous mimic of Phyllidiella pustulosa.Comment from Richard Willan on photo #1580
This is a very interesting and special dorid nudibranch that mimics Phyllidiella pustulosa. The gills are dorsal in Paradoris liturata, but they are retracted into the branchial pocket below the mantle surface in this individual so they are not visible.Comment from Richard Willan on photo #1169
Note the gill pocket towards the hind end on the left hand side of this animal. A dorid that mimics species of Phyllidiella.Comment from Richard Willan on photo #1151
Though this is an interesting photo taken head on, it makes identification difficult because the rear end of the body is not visible. I suspect it is not a phyllidiid as it appears at first glance, but the discodorid that mimics pink phyllidiid nudibranchs (like Phyllidiella pustulosa), and so it would have a set of dorsal gills at the rear of the body.Locality:
Pictures of Paradoris liturata
Similar Species
Author: Dr. Bill Rudman
Quoted from Sea Slug Forum: The example I illustrate here are the phyllidiid dorid nudibranchs such as Phyllidiella pustulosa. The phyllidiids exude very noxious and toxic chemicals from their skin and appear to be avoided by most fish. They are often the only sea slugs which blatantly crawl out in the open during the day. Other nudibranchs, flatworms, and even a holothurian are known to mimic phyllidiid nudibranchs.
