The Dendronotid Nudibranch, scientifically known as Doto eireana, is a captivating species of sea slug belonging to the family Dotidae. Its vibrant colors and distinctive features make it a fascinating subject for marine biologists and underwater enthusiasts alike.
Description & Characteristics
Doto eireana is a relatively small nudibranch, typically reaching a maximum size of a few centimeters. Its body is characterized by a slender, elongated shape and a bright orange-red coloration. It boasts several distinctive features, including a pair of prominent cerata (finger-like projections) on its back, which are covered in small, white spots. These cerata play a crucial role in respiration and defense. Doto eireana‘s head is adorned with a pair of rhinophores, sensory organs used to detect chemical signals in the water. Its mouth is equipped with a radula, a ribbon-like structure bearing rows of teeth, which it uses to scrape food from its prey.
Habitat and Occurrence
Doto eireana is a common sight in a range of marine habitats, including subtidal, sublittoral, and infralittoral zones. It thrives in the deeper regions of the ocean, from the lower limit of the intertidal zone down to the shelf edge at approximately 200 meters. This adaptation allows it to inhabit a variety of environments, from shallow coastal areas to the deeper, neritic zone.
Taxonomy
Doto eireana belongs to the Class: Gastropoda, Order: Nudibranchia, and Family: Dotidae. This classification reflects its evolutionary history and shared characteristics with other gastropods, nudibranchs, and members of the Dotidae family.
Feeding
Doto eireana is a food specialist, relying on a specific diet of Hydrozoa polyps. These polyps are small, colonial organisms found in various marine environments. The nudibranch’s feeding habits involve using its radula to scrape the polyps off their substrates, consuming them as a primary source of sustenance. This specialized feeding behavior reflects Doto eireana‘s unique adaptation to a specific food source.
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