Ancula pacifica is a species of sea slugs, a dorid nudibranch, a marine gastropod mollusc in the family Goniodorididae.
| Ancula pacifica | |
|---|---|
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | |
| Phylum: | |
| Class: | |
| (unranked): | clade Heterobranchia
clade Euthyneura |
| Superfamily: | |
| Family: | |
| Genus: | |
| Species: | A. pacifica
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| Binomial name | |
| Ancula pacifica MacFarland, 1905[1]
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| Synonyms | |
|
? Ancula gibbosa Risso, 1818 | |
Distribution
editThis species was first described from Monterey Bay, California.
Description
editThis goniodorid nudibranch is translucent white in color with orange lines on the body. There is a mid dorsal line and lines along the pallial margin, which may be continuous or interrupted. The pre-rhinophoral papillae and gills are tipped with orange and there is a line of orange pigment along the ridge of the tail. There are 4-14 club-shaped extra-branchial papillae which are translucent white with orange or yellow tips. Small papillae with orange tips typically occur between larger papillae with pale yellow tips.[2] Individuals without the lines on the body occur in some populations. Although currently considered to be a synonym of the European species Ancula gibbosa there are significant differences in color and shape of the extra-branchial papillae and this is probably a distinct species.
Ecology
editAncula pacifica probably feeds on Entoprocta which often grow on hydroids, bryozoa and other living substrata.
References
edit- ^ MacFarland, Frank Mace. 1905. A Preliminary Account of the Dorididae of Monterey Bay, California. Proceedings of the Biological Society of Washington. 18:35-54.
- ^ Rudman, W.B., 2000 (March 24) Ancula gibbosa (Risso, 1818). [In] Sea Slug Forum. Australian Museum, Sydney.