Ardeadoris electra

Description

Ardeadoris electra is a medium-sized dorid nudibranch reported up to 40 mm in length. The shape of the mantle is oval and overhangs the foot. The mantle edge has series of folds with a particularly large distinctive fold both sides midway along the length. The edge of the mantle lacks the thick “puffy” look of Ardeadoris averni and Ardeadoris rubroannulata. The tail of the foot is visible where it extends past the posterior edge of the mantle.

The rhinophores can retract into protective pockets. The gills too can retract into a protective pocket. The gill is relatively sparse but still arranged in an arc around the anus, open posteriorly, with each end of the arc forming an inward spiral. Each gill is more inflated than those of Ardeadoris egretta. The gills move continuously with a regular rhythmical motion when expanded.

The mantle colour is a semi-translucent white to cream with a yellow-orange band on the margin both dorsally and ventrally. There is also a broad sub-marginal band of vivid opaque white that contain small underlying mantle glands. The translucent white foot/tail carries a narrow band of opaque white on the margin but any other colour is absent.

Each oral tentacle (usually not visible) carries a dorsal yellow patch on the tip. The rhinophore clubs are orange/brown and bear broad white lines up both the anterior and posterior faces. The colour of the clubs tapers off to translucent white stalks. The gills have translucent white sides (lamella) and orange-brown inner and outer faces.

Distribution

Distribution is broadly the western Pacific, from the Philippines, Malaysia, Indonesia, PNG, Solomon Islands, New Caledonia, the GBR to southern Queensland, Australia.

Yonow, 2008 lists this species from the Red Sea.

Habitat

Ardeadoris electra is a spongivore, but the type of sponge preyed upon has not been identified/recorded.