Dirona is a genus of sea slugs, Pacific Ocean nudibranchs, marine, opisthobranch gastropod mollusks in the family Dironidae.[1]

Dirona
Dirona albolineata
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Mollusca
Class: Gastropoda
Order: Nudibranchia
Suborder: Cladobranchia
Family: Dironidae
Genus: Dirona
MacFarland, 1905

Dirona is the type genus of the family Dironidae.

This genus is characterized by large, broad cerata.

Distribution

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These nudibranchs live on the West Coast of North America and Central America, some extending west into Japanese and Russian waters.

Habitat

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Dironids live in various habitats, including the intertidal zone of rocky shores, bays and estuaries.

Life habits

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Most species in this genus eat various species of bryozoans. Some also feed on hydroids and ascidians.[2]

Species

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Species within this genus include:

Species brought into synonymy
  • Dirona aurantia Hurst, 1966: synonym of Dirona pellucida Volodchenko, 1941

References

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  1. ^ MolluscaBase eds. (2021). MolluscaBase. Dirona MacFarland, 1905. Accessed through: World Register of Marine Species on 2021-01-18.
  2. ^ Behrens David W., 1980, Pacific Coast Nudibranchs: a guide to the opisthobranchs of the northeastern Pacific, Sea Challenger Books, California