Hypselodoris obscura is a species of colourful sea slug or dorid nudibranch, a marine gastropod mollusk in the family Chromodorididae.[3] It is the type species of the genus Hypselodoris.[1]

Hypselodoris obscura
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Mollusca
Class: Gastropoda
Order: Nudibranchia
Family: Chromodorididae
Genus: Hypselodoris
Species:
H. obscura
Binomial name
Hypselodoris obscura
(Stimpson, 1855)[1]
Synonyms
  • Chromodoris crossei (Angas, 1864)
  • Goniodoris crossei Angas, 1864[2]
  • Goniodoris obscura Stimpson, 1855 (original combination)

This species eats sponges.

Distribution

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This nudibranch was described from Port Jackson, Australia. It is a warm temperate species only found in Southeastern Australia. It is related to the widespread tropical species Hypselodoris infucata and the similar Australian species Hypselodoris saintvincentius.[4]

Description

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Hypselodoris obscura has a mottled appearance due to a grey or grey-blue background colour with yellow and black spots, which vary considerably in size between individuals. There is a paler stripe down the midline. The edge of the mantle is pale blue alternating with yellow. The gills and rhinophores are bright red.[4]

References

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  1. ^ a b Stimpson, W. (1855). Descriptions of some new Marine Invertebrata Proceedings of the Academy of Natural Sciences. 7: 385-394.
  2. ^ Angas, G. F. (1864). Description d´éspèces nouvelles appartenant à plusieurs genres de mollusques nudibranches des environs de Port-Jackson (Nouvelle-Galles du Sud), accompagnée de dessins faits d´après nature. Journal de Conchyliologie, series. 3(12): 43-70, pp. 54-55, Plate 5, Figure 1
  3. ^ MolluscaBase (2018). Hypselodoris obscura (Stimpson, 1855). Accessed through: World Register of Marine Species on 2018-10-26
  4. ^ a b Rudman, W.B., 1998 (November 28) Hypselodoris obscura Stimpson, 1855. [In] Sea Slug Forum. Australian Museum, Sydney.