Goniobranchus preciosus is a species of colourful sea slug, a dorid nudibranch, a marine gastropod mollusc in the family Chromodorididae.[2][3]
| Goniobranchus preciosus | |
|---|---|
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Scientific classification 
| |
| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Mollusca |
| Class: | Gastropoda |
| Subclass: | Heterobranchia |
| Order: | Nudibranchia |
| Suborder: | Doridina |
| Superfamily: | Doridoidea |
| Family: | Chromodorididae |
| Genus: | Goniobranchus |
| Species: | G. preciosus
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| Binomial name | |
| Goniobranchus preciosus (Kelaart, 1858)[1]
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| Synonyms[2] | |
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Distribution edit
The type locality for this species is Ceylon (Sri Lanka). It has been reported widely in the Indo-West Pacific region.[4][5]
Description edit
Goniobranchus preciosus has a white mantle with three lines of colour at the edge. The mantle rim is marked by a thin white line, with a dark red band inside this and then a yellow band. The rhinophore clubs are brown with white edges to the lamellae and the gill leaves are also brown with white markings.[6] The body length varies between 15 mm and 30 mm.[4][7] This species is very similar to Goniobranchus verrieri and most easily distinguished by the white margin to the mantle. Goniobranchus trimarginatus is also similar, but has white gills and rhinophores and red speckles in the middle of the back.[4]
References edit
- ^ Kelaart, Edward Frederick. 1858. Descriptions of new and little known species of Ceylon nudibranchiate molluscs and zoophytes. Journal of the Royal Asiatic Society Ceylon Branch, Colombo 3(1):84-139, 2 pls., page 98.
- ^ a b Bouchet, P. (2012). Goniobranchus preciosus. Accessed through: World Register of Marine Species on 2012-05-07
- ^ Johnson R.F. & Gosliner T.M. (2012) Traditional taxonomic groupings mask evolutionary history: A molecular phylogeny and new classification of the chromodorid nudibranchs. PLoS ONE 7(4): e33479
- ^ a b c Rudman, W.B., 2000 (July 2) Chromodoris preciosa (Kelaart, 1858). [In] Sea Slug Forum. Australian Museum, Sydney.
- ^ Rudman W.B. (1985) The Chromodorididae (Opisthobranchia: Mollusca) of the Indo-West Pacific: Chromodoris aureomarginata, C. verrieri and C. fidelis colour groups. Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society 83: 241-299. page(s): 268
- ^ Gosliner, T.M., Behrens, D.W. & Valdés, Á. (2008) Indo-Pacific Nudibranchs and seaslugs. A field guide to the world's most diverse fauna. Sea Challengers Natural History Books, Washington, 426 pp. page 219.
- ^ Debelius, H. & Kuiter, R.H. (2007) Nudibranchs of the world. ConchBooks, Frankfurt, 360 pp. ISBN 978-3-939767-06-0 page(s): 164
External links edit
- Photos of Goniobranchus preciosus on Sealife Collection