Kingdom Animalia Superfamily Phyllidioidea Genus Doriopsilla Higher classification Doriopsilla | Phylum Mollusca Family Dendrodorididae Scientific name Doriopsilla miniata Rank Species | |
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Similar Doriopsilla, Nudibranch, Molluscs, Gastropods, Dendrodoris nigra | ||
The scribbled nudibranch (Doriopsilla miniata) is a species of sea slug, a dorid nudibranch. It is a marine gastropod mollusc in the family Dendrodorididae.
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Distribution
This species is known from the Mediterranean Sea, and the Indo-Pacific Ocean. Around the southern African coast it is found from the Atlantic side of the Cape Peninsula to Sodwana Bay, from the intertidal to at least 30 m.
Description
The scribbled nudibranch is a smooth-bodied yellow-brown nudibranch, with opaque white lines on its notum. It may reach a total length of 50 mm.
Ecology
This species feeds on sponges. It lacks a tooth-bearing tongue (radula) and instead digests prey sponges using digestive enzymes produced by its oral gland. The externally digested sponge cells are then pumped into the mouth. Its appearance is mimicked by a sea snail, Trivia millardi.