Dorid Nudibranchs

Dorid Nudibranchs

Defining Characteristics

Recognised by branchial (gill) plume, formed as a cluster on the posterior of the body
They breathe with the branchial plume, which projects from their anus
Have a thick mantle that extends over the foot.
Some mantles are covered with tubercles, varying in size, numbers and shapes
Fringes on the mantle do not contain any intestines
Toxins are stored in the mantle as defense
Toxins are extracted from food sources

General

Currently 101 classified species
Due to molecular phylogeny, the family Chromodorididae resulted in this genus being reduced to smaller number of species than formerly known
Many former members of Chromodoris were transferred to Goniobranchus
Most have longitudinal black lines on the mantle.

Distribution

Habitat

Body

Exhibit one of the two major body types found within Nudibranchia
Breathe oxygen principally through their gills, usually positioned in a featherlike structure located around the anus at their posterior, called the branchial plume.
A few major bodily features separate chromodorids from other sea slugs.
These species characteristically have black stripes along their bodies and linear spawning.
Commonly exhibit chemical defenses to protect themselves from predators
Dorids have a thick mantle that exists over their foot, and in some species, the mantle can have tubercles (nodules along the surface of an organism that are made of keratin)[3] of different concentrations, shapes, and sizes, providing some rigidity and protection
Use of bioactive compounds like alkaloids, diterpenes, and sesquiterpenes from the sponges they feed on
Transport and store toxic compounds in specialized storage glands located in strategic locations throughout the mantle, called mantle dermal formations (MDFs).
MDFs can harbor extremely high concentrations of distasteful and potent compounds in comparison to the rest of their body

Reproduction

Are simultaneous hermaphrodites, each individual possesses both male and female reproductive structures
During mating, in an act called “penis fencing”
Two individuals compete for the position of male, by darting their penises at one another
The victor is the one who penetrates the body wall of the other and impregnating them,
Forcing the other to act as the female.
The female lays eggs onto a substrate,
Eggs hatch planktonic vestigial veliger larva, who further evolve into adults