Another weird looking nudibranch
Description:
Ardeadoris cruenta is a nudibranch, which doesn't have a common name. I introduced this group earlier in the post on Glaucus atlanticus. It is species like this one that make the common name for nudibranches (sea slugs) seem an inadequate description.
It swims by undulating the soft frilly exterior of the body. Watch it here.
The contrast of the red spots around the edge of the body with the pale lemon color of the body gives it a rather striking appearance. Those long thin feathery protrusions coming off the back are its 'gills'. The two antennae like projections are called Rhinophores. They are sensory receptors and they work by detecting traces of chemicals in the water.
Distribution:
Ardeadoris cruenta is known from the West Pacific ocean.
Classification:
Ardeadoris cruenta was previously classified as Glossodoris cruenta but was moved into the new genus by Johnson and Gosliner 2012.
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Mollusca
Class: Gastropoda
Order: Nudibranchia
Family: Chromodorididae
Genus: Ardeadoris
Species: Ardeadoris cruenta
Image Links:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ardeadoris_cruenta#mediaviewer/File:Glossodoris_cruenta_3.jpg
Video Links:
http://youtu.be/QCBkl_Is7Zk
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