Dinosaur nudibranch

dinosaur nudibranch
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Mollusca
Class:	Gastropoda
(unranked):	clade Heterobranchia clade Euthyneura clade Nudipleura clade Nudibranchia clade Dexiarchia clade Cladobranchia clade Dendronotida
Superfamily:	Tritonioidea
Family:	Tethydidae
Genus:	Melibe
Species:	M. liltvedi
Binomial name
Melibe liltvedi Gosliner, 1987

The dinosaur nudibranch, Melibe liltvedi, is a species of dendronotid nudibranch, and is only found in South Africa. It is a marine gastropod mollusc in the family Tethydidae.

Distribution

This species is endemic to the South African coast and has only been found on the Atlantic coast of the Cape Peninsula in 10 to 20 m.^[1]

Description

The dinosaur nudibranch is a white nudibranch distinguished by its large extendable hood. Puffy paired cerata extend down the notum and there is a projection of unknown function behind the rhinophore sheath.

Ecology

The dinosaur nudibranch feeds on small crustaceans, capturing them with its oral hood.

References

1. ^ GOSLINER, T.M. 1987. Nudibranchs of Southern Africa ISBN 0-930118-13-8