Chromodoris_elegantula

Medium sized chromodorid found in shallow waters roaming on algae, particularly Cystoseira sp. The animals appear to feed on any of the variety of hydroids, small sponges and bryozoa growing near the base of the alga. The base colour is whitish-pink with white blotches and small red spots on the body.

Propodial tentacles: Absent
Oral tentacles: 2 in number, smooth, white, short
Rhinophores: White, lamellate (10 lamellae), with smooth wider base, retractable.
Gills: White, retractile, unipinnate.
Foot: Colourless (ventrally) without any appendages, laterally white with distict small dark red spots, larger than the notum and protruding from back of notum.

Size range: 13-30mm. Rare.

Specific characteristics: This species is easy to distinguish from related species by its colouration and size of red spots. A yellow submarginal band is usually present.

Identification by Dr. A. Perrone