Brown-edge Glossodorid

Glossodoris hikuerensis is a species of sea slug, a colorful nudibranch, a marine gastropod mollusc in the family Chromodorididae.

Description

Glossodoris hikuerensis has a pale-brown body which is covered by speckled white dots. It has a very frilly mantle edged with brown-black-brown lines. Its gills are semi-translucent white, and its rhinophores have the same speckled pale-brown pattern as its body. Glossodoris hikuerensis is a relatively large nudibranch and can reach at least 100 mm in length.

Distribution

This species occurs in the tropical Indo-Pacific Ocean. It has been observed in localities as far apart as East Africa in the Indian Ocean to French Polynesia in the Pacific.

Ecology

This species, like many other nudibranchs, feeds on sponges. The only sponge identified as its food source is Hyrtios erectus. When disturbed, Glossodoris hikuerensis releases a milky-white substance which is a form of chemical defence.