Pacific Thecacera, Pikachu Nudibranch – Thecacera pacifica

, Pacific Thecacera, Pikachu Nudibranch, Thecacera pacifica
Depth: 1 - 30 m

Afghanistan, Alaska, Algeria, Andaman and Nicobar, Angola, Antarctica, Antigua and Barbuda, Arctic, Argentina, Ascension Island, Australia, Austria, Azerbaijan, Azores Islands, Bangladesh, Belarus, Bolivia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Brazil, Brunei Darussalam, Bulgaria, Cambodia, Cameroon, Canada, Canary Islands, Cayman Islands, Central African Republic, Chile, China, Cocos Islands, Comoros, Congo, Cook Islands, Corsica Island, Crete Island, Croatia, Curaçao, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Denmark, El Salvador, England, Equatorial Guinea, Falkland Islands, Faroe Islands, Finland, France, French Polynesia, Gabon, Galapagos Islands, Germany, Ghana, Gibraltar, Greece, Greenland, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Hawaii, Honduras, Hungary, India, Indonesia, Iran, Iraq, Ireland, Italy, Ivory Coast, Japan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Laos, Macedonia, Madagascar, Madeira Islands, Malawi, Marshall Islands, Mauritius, Mexico, Micronesia, Moldova, Morocco, Mozambique, Myanmar, Namibia, New Zealand, Nicaragua, Nigeria, Norfolk Island, North Korea, Northern Ireland, Norway, Oman, Pakistan, Palestine, Papua New Guinea, Peru, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Reunion Island, Romania, Russia, Saint Martin, São Tomé and Príncipe, Sardinia Island, Scotland, Senegal, Serbia, Sicily Island, Sierra Leone, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, Solomon Islands, Somalia, South Africa, South Georgia And The South Sandwich Islands, South Korea, Spain, Sweden, Taiwan, Tajikistan, Tanzania, Tonga, Tunisia, Turkey, Turkmenistan, Turks and Caicos Islands, Ukraine, United Kingdom, United States Minor Outlying Islands, Uruguay, US Minor Islands, USA, Uzbekistan, Vatican City, Venezuela, Vietnam, Virgin Islands, Wales, Yemen, Zambia, Zimbabwe

Amvrakikos Gulf, Andaman Sea, Arabian Sea, Aral Sea, Arctic Ocean, Atlantic Ocean, Baltic Sea, Barents Sea, Bay of Bengal, Bay of Biscay, Beaufort Sea, Bering Sea, Black Sea, Bohai Sea, Cantabrian Sea, Celtic Sea, Chukchi Sea, Coral Sea, Dead Sea, English Channel, German Bight, Great Barrier Reef, Greenland Sea, Gulf of Aden, Gulf of Fonseca, Gulf of Maine, Gulf of Mexico, Gulf of Saint Lawrence, Halmahera Sea, Iberian Sea, Indian Ocean, Java Sea, Korinthiakos Gulf, Labrador Sea, Levantine Sea, Lingayan Gulf, Mediterranean Sea, Moro Gulf, Okhotsk Sea, Pacific Ocean, Pagassitikos Gulf, Salish Sea, Saronikos Gulf, Scotia Sea, Sea of Azov, Sea of Marmara, Siberian Sea, South China Sea, Southern Ocean, Thermaikos Gulf, Yellow Sea

The Pacific Thecacera, Pikachu Nudibranch, scientifically known as Thecacera pacifica, is a captivating species of sea slug belonging to the family Polyceridae. This vibrant nudibranch is easily recognized by its distinctive color patterns and unique characteristics.

Description & Characteristics

Thecacera pacifica showcases a fascinating blend of colors and patterns, earning it the nickname “Pikachu Nudibranch.” Its body is typically bright yellow or orange, often adorned with black spots or blotches. This striking color combination serves as a warning to potential predators, indicating the nudibranch’s toxicity. The body shape is elongated and somewhat flattened, with a pair of prominent rhinophores (sensory organs) extending from the head. These rhinophores are tipped with bright yellow or orange clubs, further enhancing the nudibranch’s distinctive appearance. Thecacera pacifica can grow up to a maximum size of around 20 millimeters, making it a relatively small but visually impressive nudibranch.

Habitat and Occurrence

Thecacera pacifica exhibits a preference for specific marine zones and habitats. It is commonly found in shallow coastal waters, typically in the intertidal and subtidal regions. The nudibranch favors areas with rocky substrates, tide pools, and seagrass beds, where its preferred food source is abundant. This species is particularly common in the Indo-Pacific region, inhabiting areas from the Philippines to Japan. Thecacera pacifica is a prevalent presence in these aquatic ecosystems, where it contributes to the intricate web of life.

Taxonomy

Thecacera pacifica belongs to the Class: Gastropoda, Order: Nudibranchia, and Family: Polyceridae. This classification places it among the diverse and fascinating group of sea slugs, characterized by their absence of shells and often striking coloration. The Polyceridae family encompasses a range of nudibranchs with various body shapes and patterns, further highlighting the diversity within the Gastropoda class.

Feeding

Thecacera pacifica is a specialist feeder, relying primarily on a single type of prey: Bryozoans, commonly known as sea mats. These colonial animals, composed of tiny, interconnected individuals, provide a steady source of food for the nudibranch. Thecacera pacifica uses its radula, a ribbon-like structure with rows of teeth, to scrape and consume the bryozoan colonies. This feeding behavior plays a crucial role in the ecosystem, contributing to the balance of species and maintaining the overall health of the marine environment.

Associated Species

Image References

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