Okenia atkinsonorum
Encyclopedia
Okenia atkinsonorum is a species
of colorful sea slug
, specifically a dorid
nudibranch
, a marine
gastropod mollusc in the family Goniodorididae
.
, but instead has up to seven lateral appendages or papillas that protude from the main body.
Species
In biology, a species is one of the basic units of biological classification and a taxonomic rank. A species is often defined as a group of organisms capable of interbreeding and producing fertile offspring. While in many cases this definition is adequate, more precise or differing measures are...
of colorful sea slug
Sea slug
Sea slug is a common name used for several different groups of saltwater snails that either lack a shell or have only an internal shell, in other words this name is used for various lineages of marine gastropod mollusks that are either not conchiferous or appear not to be.The phrase "sea slug" is...
, specifically a dorid
Doridacea
Doridacea is a taxonomic grouping of dorid nudibranchs, shell-less marine gastropod mollusks. included in the clade Euctenidiacea of the clade Nudibranchia.- Taxonomy :*Superfamily Doridoidea**Family Dorididae**Family Actinocyclidae...
nudibranch
Nudibranch
A nudibranch is a member of what is now a taxonomic clade, and what was previously a suborder, of soft-bodied, marine gastropod mollusks which shed their shell after their larval stage. They are noted for their often extraordinary colors and striking forms...
, a marine
Marine (ocean)
Marine is an umbrella term. As an adjective it is usually applicable to things relating to the sea or ocean, such as marine biology, marine ecology and marine geology...
gastropod mollusc in the family Goniodorididae
Goniodorididae
Goniodorididae are a taxonomic family of sea slugs, specifically dorid nudibranchs, marine gastropod molluscs in the order Opisthobranchia.-Genera:Genera in the family Goniodorididae include:* Ancula Lovén, 1846* Goniodoris Forbes & Goodsir, 1939...
.
Distribution
This species is known from New South Wales, southeastern Australia and probably also from Northern New Zealand.Description
This brightly colored species is completely pink. Only the tips of the mantle projections, rhinophores and gills have a darker shade of the same color. It does not have a traditionally shaped mantleMantle (mollusc)
The mantle is a significant part of the anatomy of molluscs: it is the dorsal body wall which covers the visceral mass and usually protrudes in the form of flaps well beyond the visceral mass itself.In many, but by no means all, species of molluscs, the epidermis of the mantle secretes...
, but instead has up to seven lateral appendages or papillas that protude from the main body.