PORT PHILLIP BAY


Nudibranch 

Goniodoris meracula Burn, 1958

View scientific description and taxonomy

Scientific Details

Nudibranchia group detail.
Mantle (dorsal surface) with pair of rhinophores anteriorly. Gills as a cluster posteriorly, or laterally, or laterally below mantle overhang.

Source: Burn, R. (2006) A checklist and bibliography of the Opisthobranchia (Mollusca: Gastropoda) of Victoria and the Bass Strait area, south-eastern Australia. Museum Victoria Science Reports 10: 1-42.

Taxonomy

Phylum:
Mollusca
Subphylum:
Conchifera
Superclass:
Visceroconcha
Class:
Gastropoda
Subclass:
Orthogastropoda
Superorder:
Heterobranchia
Order:
Opisthobranchia
Suborder:
Nudibranchia
Infraorder:
Doridina
Superfamily:
Onchidoridoidea
Family:
Goniodorididae
Genus:
Goniodoris
Species:
meracula

General Description

Body shape slug-like with gill structures visible as a single cluster on back of the animal. Pattern includes shades or colours of white and/or brown. Animal up to 2 cm long.

Biology

This is the biggest of the local goniodorids nudibranchs (family Goniodorididae). When the animal takes-up residence in pits of Botrylloides ascidians, its broad foot lines the pit. The animal conspicuously lays its egg ribbon along the edge of the pit.

Habitat

Shallow waters and tidal pools, often in pits eaten into colonial ascidians, to depth of 10 m.

Coastal shores

Reefs

Distribution guide

South-eastern Australia.

Species Group

Nudibranchs and allies Nudibranchs

Depth

Shore (0-1 m)
Shallow (1-30 m)

Water Column

On or near sea floor

Max Size

2 cm

Diet

Carnivore

Commercial Species

No

Global Dispersal

Native to Australia

Identify

Conservation Status

  • DSE Advisory List : Not listed
  • EPBC Act 1999 : Not listed
  • IUCN Red List : Not listed

Author

article author Burn, R.

Robert Burn is an Honorary Associate at Museum Victoria with expertise in Molluscs.

Author

article author Wilson, R.

Robin Wilson is a Senior Curator of marine invertebrates at Museum Victoria.

citation

Cite this page as:
Burn, R. & Wilson, R., 2011, Nudibranch, Goniodoris meracula, in Taxonomic Toolkit for marine life of Port Phillip Bay, Museum Victoria, accessed 03 Nov 2024, http://136.154.202.208:8098/species/4940

Text: creative commons cc by licence