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Phidiana hiltoni

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Phidiana hiltoni
Phidiana hiltoni in a Central California tide pool
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Mollusca
Class: Gastropoda
Order: Nudibranchia
Suborder: Cladobranchia
Family: Facelinidae
Genus: Phidiana
Species:
P. hiltoni
Binomial name
Phidiana hiltoni
Synonyms
  • Phidiana nigra MacFarland, 1966
  • Phidiana pugnax Lance, 1962

Phidiana hiltoni is a species of sea slug, an aeolid nudibranch, a shell-less marine gastropod mollusc in the family Facelinidae.[1]

Distribution

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This species has a rather limited range of distribution, being found from the central California coast to Baja California, Mexico, and it is also found in the Gulf of Mexico. Recently, its range has been extending north and is now found north of San Francisco Bay.

Description

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This nudibranch grows to 50 mm, or a little more than 2 inches in length. The reddish or brownish line across its head is almost always present, and is very characteristic of the species.

This species can be confused with Hermissenda crassicornis, which is superficially similar in appearance.

Phidiana hiltoni in a tide pool in California

Life habits

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This solid nudibranch species is considered to be rather aggressive, often biting and fighting with other nudibranchs, including members of its own species.

References

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  1. ^ WoRMS (2009). Phidiana Gray, 1850. In: Bouchet, P.; Gofas, S.; Rosenberg, G. (2009) World Marine Mollusca database. Accessed through: World Register of Marine Species at http://www.marinespecies.org/aphia.php?p=taxdetails&id=137635 on 2010-05-18
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  • Sea Slug Forum factsheet: [1]
  • Slug Site: [2]