Kingdom Animalia Superfamily Doridoidea Genus Goniobranchus Phylum Mollusca | Class Gastropoda Family Chromodorididae Scientific name Chromodoris vibrata Rank Species | |
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Similar Goniobranchus, Hypselodoris imperialis, Goniobranchus verrieri, Goniobranchus gleniei, Goniobranchus alius | ||
Goniobranchus vibratus, common name Trembling Nudibranch, is a species of colourful sea slug, a dorid nudibranch, a marine gastropod mollusc in the family Chromodorididae.
Contents
Etymology
The Latin species name vibratus derives from its habit to vibrate rhythmically the gills much like some species of Thorunna and Noumea.
Distribution
This marine species occurs off Hawaii, in the Marshall Islands, in French Polynesia and in Japan, in the tropical Pacific Ocean.
Habitat
These diurnal nudibranches can be found exposed on subtidal reefs, rocky habitats and in tide pools or low intertidal, at depths of 1 to 24 m.
Description
The length of the body reaches 60–65 mm. The basic body color of these nudibranches is bright yellow, with small white dots in relief. The margins of the mantle are bluish-purple, with large white pustules. The outline of the body is oblong or oval. Mantle is smooth and rounded. The thin margins do not conceal the foot behind. The seven brachial plumes are small, erect, ciliated and edged with violet. Dorsal tentacles are violet, short, ovate and lamellated. Foot is white and almost wide as the mantle.
Biology
Goniobranchus vibratus feeds on encrusting sponge (Porifera, Phoriospongia poni or probably Chelonaplysilla violacea). It lays a mass of eggs 2-3 whorls. Hatching occurs in about 7 days.