Predaceous Aeolis

Flabellina trophina (Himatina trophina) is a species of sea slug, an aeolid nudibranch, a marine heterobranchmollusc in the family Flabellinidae. This species was commonly known as Flabellina fusca, a junior synonym.

Description

The body and cerata are translucent white, with the ceratal digestive gland duct ranging in colour (pink, dark brown, dark grey). The cerata are capped with opaque white and both the rhinophores and oral tentacles have a white line running up their posterior sides. There is also a white line on the posterior tip of the foot which bifurcates, each branch ending near the posterior cerata. The slender rhinophores are perfoliate with up to 38 shallow leaves.

Distribution

This species is frequent in British Columbia and extends around the North Pacific to Alaska and the Sea of Okhotsk, Russia.

Diet

Himatina trophina mainly feeds on hydroids, it was also once believed to feed on tube worms but the species actually just preferred the hydroids which were growing on the outside of the tube worm. It has been reported feeding on other nudibranchs, crustacea and polychaete worms.