Goniodoris meracula is a species of sea slug, a dorid nudibranch, a marine gastropod mollusc in the family Goniodorididae.[2]
| Goniodoris meracula | |
|---|---|
Scientific classification 
| |
| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Mollusca |
| Class: | Gastropoda |
| Subclass: | Heterobranchia |
| Order: | Nudibranchia |
| Suborder: | Doridina |
| Superfamily: | Onchidoridoidea |
| Family: | Goniodorididae |
| Genus: | Goniodoris |
| Species: | G. meracula
|
| Binomial name | |
| Goniodoris meracula Burn, 1958[1]
| |
Distribution edit
This species was first described from Victoria, south-eastern Australia. It is found from Pearson Island, South Australia to the mid New South Wales coast, from intertidal to 65 m depth.[3][4]
Description edit
This goniodorid nudibranch is translucent grey in colour, with spots and patches of white and brown surface pigment.
Ecology edit
Goniodoris meracula feeds on colonial ascidians into which it eats cavities within which it is often hidden.[4]
References edit
- ^ Burn, R.F., 1958. Further Victorian Opisthobranchia. Journal of the Malacological Society Australia, 1(2): 20-36, pls. 6-7.
- ^ Bouchet, P. (2015). Goniodoris meracula Burn, 1958. In: MolluscaBase (2015). Accessed through: World Register of Marine Species on 2015-10-20
- ^ Burn, R. (1989). Opisthobranchs, in Shepherd, S.A. & Thomas, I.M. Marine Invertebrates of Southern Australia, Part II. South Australian Government Printing Division, Adelaide. 900 pages
- ^ a b Rudman, W.B., 2003 (September 3) Goniodoris meracula Burn, 1958. [In] Sea Slug Forum. Australian Museum, Sydney.