Hypselodoris pulchella is a species of sea slug, a dorid nudibranch, a marine gastropod mollusk in the family Chromodorididae.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): e33479Bouchet, P. (2012). Hypselodoris pulchella. Accessed through: World Register of Marine Species on 2012-06-09
Description Hypselodoris pulchella is a long slender species with a body size up to 80 mm or even 110 mm. The mantle edges are well extended along the body, with a thin bluish border. The mantle and the foot are creamy white, covered with numerous small rounded yellowish-orange spots of different sizes. There is always a diffuse pattern of pale violet-brown on the back; this is absent in the similar species Hypselodoris ghardaqana. The sensory tentacles (the antennae like rhinophores) are bluish. The main respiratory organs (gills) vary from bluish to orange. These sea slugs usually raise and lower rhythmically their head, vibrating their gills.Rudman W.B. (1984) The Chromodorididae (Opisthobranchia: Mollusca) of the Indo-West Pacific: a review of the genera. Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society 81 (2/3): 115–273. They often show a characteristic 'trailing' behaviour, with two individuals following closely each other. This species feeds on sponges.Rudman, W.B., 2003 (April 8) Risbecia pulchella (Ruppell & Leuckart, 1828). [In] Sea Slug Forum. Australian Museum, Sydney.Vine, P. (1986). Red Sea Invertebrates. Immel Publishing, London. 224 ppDebelius, H. & Kuiter, R.H. (2007) Nudibranchs of the world. ConchBooks, Frankfurt, 360 pp. page(s): 138Gosliner, T.M., Behrens, D.W. & Valdes, A. (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(s): 271
Distribution This species was described from the Red Sea. Hypselodoris pulchella is found in the Red Sea and the Indian Ocean from Kenya and Tanzania, the Comores, Réunion to Sri Lanka, Thailand and the Philippines.Rudman, W.B. (1987). The Chromodorididae (Opisthobranchia: Mollusca) of the Indo-West Pacific: Chromodoris epicuria, C. aureopurpurea, C. annulata, C. coi and Risbecia tryoni colour groups. Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society 90 (3): 305-407
Habitat This benthic species can be found at a depth of 3–30 meters.Behrens, D.W., 1999. Risbecia pulchella Miller, M. (ed.) The Slug Site, accessed 2018-12-25
Gallery
See also Watch: Risbecia pulchella (synonym of Hypselodoris pulchella), Indian Ocean, UAE. Watch: Two Risbecia pulchella (synonym of Hypselodoris pulchella), Indian Ocean, UAE. Watch: Mating Risbecia pulchella (synonym of Hypselodoris pulchella), Indian Ocean, UAE. Watch: Moving Risbecia pulchella (synonym of Hypselodoris pulchella), Indian Ocean, UAE.
References
External links
Risbecia pulchella Gastropods.com, accessed 2011-03-03