Ghost nudibranch
Appearance
Ghost nudibranch | |
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Scientific classification ![]() | |
Domain: | Eukaryota |
Kingdom: | Animalia |
Phylum: | Mollusca |
Class: | Gastropoda |
Order: | Nudibranchia |
Superfamily: | Polyceroidea |
Family: | Polyceridae |
Genus: | Lecithophorus |
Species: | L. capensis
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Binomial name | |
Lecithophorus capensis Macnae, 1958
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The ghost nudibranch, Lecithophorus capensis, is a species of dorid nudibranch, and is only found in South Africa. It is a marine gastropod mollusc in the family Polyceridae. It is the sole species of the genus Lecithophorus.[1]
Distribution
[edit]This species is endemic to the South African coast and is found on both sides of the Cape Peninsula from the intertidal to at least 30 m.[2]
Description
[edit]The ghost nudibranch is an almost transparent animal with a deep body and an opaque white margin. Its digestive system is visible as a purple mass at the posterior end of its body. Its rhinophores and gills are white.[3]
Ecology
[edit]The ghost nudibranch feeds on colonial sea squirts and bryozoans.
References
[edit]![](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/4/4a/Commons-logo.svg/30px-Commons-logo.svg.png)
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Lecithophorus capensis.
- ^ Lecithophorus Macnae, 1958. Retrieved through: World Register of Marine Species on 10 January 2019.
- ^ GOSLINER, T.M. 1987. Nudibranchs of Southern Africa ISBN 0-930118-13-8
- ^ ZSILAVECZ, G. 2007. Nudibranchs of the Cape Peninsula and False Bay. ISBN 0-620-38054-3