Purple-line Unidenitia

Unidentia angelvaldesi is a species of nudibranch molluscs in the family Unidentiidae.

Description

Body: The background color of the body is translucent with a pinkish or whitish tint, often featuring scattered whitish patches or spots. It can exhibit vibrant red or orange suffusions and is characterized by three distinct purple longitudinal lines — one running down the middorsal line and two along the sides beneath the cerata.

Rhinophores and Tentacles: The rhinophores are smooth (non-annulated) and are roughly equal in length to the oral tentacles. In many specimens, they are basally translucent, followed by a broad white band, a translucent purple band, and a translucent outer third.

Cerata: The cerata vary from translucent and whitish to vibrant red or orange, featuring a digestive gland core and a characteristic thin purple subapical ring just below their tips.

Size: Living specimens can grow up to 20 mm in length (while type specimens typically measure around 8 to 9.5 mm).

Etymology

This species is named in honor of Angel Valdès.

Distribution

This species is found from the Pacific Ocean (coast of Mexico, Panama) and the Indo-West Pacific Ocean.