Fluffy nudibranch
Encyclopedia
The fluffy nudibranch, Acanthodoris planca, is a species
of dorid
nudibranch
. It is a marine
gastropod mollusc in the family
Onchidorididae
.
in shallow water. It is endemic.
Species
In biology, a species is one of the basic units of biological classification and a taxonomic rank. A species is often defined as a group of organisms capable of interbreeding and producing fertile offspring. While in many cases this definition is adequate, more precise or differing measures are...
of dorid
Doridacea
Doridacea is a taxonomic grouping of dorid nudibranchs, shell-less marine gastropod mollusks. included in the clade Euctenidiacea of the clade Nudibranchia.- Taxonomy :*Superfamily Doridoidea**Family Dorididae**Family Actinocyclidae...
nudibranch
Nudibranch
A nudibranch is a member of what is now a taxonomic clade, and what was previously a suborder, of soft-bodied, marine gastropod mollusks which shed their shell after their larval stage. They are noted for their often extraordinary colors and striking forms...
. It is a marine
Marine (ocean)
Marine is an umbrella term. As an adjective it is usually applicable to things relating to the sea or ocean, such as marine biology, marine ecology and marine geology...
gastropod mollusc in the family
Family (biology)
In biological classification, family is* a taxonomic rank. Other well-known ranks are life, domain, kingdom, phylum, class, order, genus, and species, with family fitting between order and genus. As for the other well-known ranks, there is the option of an immediately lower rank, indicated by the...
Onchidorididae
Onchidorididae
Onchidorididae are a taxonomic family of dorid nudibranchs or sea slugs, marine gastropod molluscs.-Genera:Genera in the family Onchodorididae include:* Acanthodoris Gray, 1850, see Orange-peel doris* Adalaria Bergh, 1879...
.
Distribution
This species is found off South Africa on both sides of the Cape PeninsulaCape Peninsula
The Cape Peninsula is a generally rocky peninsula that juts out for 75 km into the Atlantic Ocean at the south-western extremity of the African continent. At the southern end of the peninsula are Cape Point and the Cape of Good Hope...
in shallow water. It is endemic.
Description
The fluffy nudibranch is a small tan-coloured dorid with a nippled surface. The animal may reach 20 mm in total length.External links
- http://www.seaslugforum.net/factsheet.cfm?base=acanplan