Whip Fan Nudibranch

Tritonia nilsodhneri, is a species of dendronotid nudibranch. It is a marine gastropod mollusc in the family Tritoniidae.

The specific name nilsodhneri is in honor of Swedish malacologist Nils Hjalmar Odhner.

Description

The whip fan nudibranch is a well-camouflaged animal which mimics the gorgonians on which it feeds. It is a small nudibranch, reaching 30 mm. Its branched rhinophores extend from cup-like sheaths. Paired branching projections down the length of the body resemble the feeding polyps of its prey species of sea fan.

Distribution

This species is found in the north Atlantic Ocean off the United Kingdom, Ireland and France. It is also found off South Africa. Around the South African coast it is found on both sides of the Cape Peninsula. It is known from 10-30 m.

Ecology

The whip fan nudibranch feeds on gorgonians of the genus Eunicella. It lays a thin zigzag spiral of eggs around the main axis of these sea fans. The egg mass is also coloured to match the gorgonians.