Pale Aeolid Nudibranch – Amphorina pallida

The Pale Aeolid Nudibranch, scientifically known as Amphorina pallida, is a captivating species of sea slug belonging to the family Eubranchidae.

Description & Characteristics

The Amphorina pallida is a relatively small nudibranch, typically reaching a maximum size of around 15 millimeters in length. This species is easily identifiable by its pale, translucent white or cream-colored body, often featuring faint brown or yellow markings. Its body is slender and elongated, with a prominent cerata, the finger-like projections that extend from its back. These cerata serve as both respiratory organs and defensive mechanisms, housing stinging nematocysts obtained from its prey. The Amphorina pallida also possesses a pair of rhinophores, sensory organs located at the top of its head, used to detect food and navigate its environment.

Habitat and Occurrence

The Amphorina pallida prefers coastal waters, and its habitat ranges from the Intertidal zone and Tidal Zone to deeper Kelp forests. It is primarily found in the Subtidal, sublittoral, infralittoral, and deep zone of the oceans, extending from the lower limit of the intertidal zone down to the shelf edge at approximately 200 meters water depth. This makes it a common resident within the neritic zone, a region of the ocean characterized by its relatively shallow depths and proximity to the coastline.

Taxonomy

The species Amphorina pallida is classified within the Class: Gastropoda, Order: Nudibranchia, and Family: Eubranchidae. This classification places it among the diverse group of marine gastropods, which includes snails, slugs, and sea hares. The Nudibranchia order encompasses the fascinating group of sea slugs, characterized by their lack of external shell and vibrant, often striking, coloration.

Feeding

The Amphorina pallida is a food specialist, feeding primarily on Hydrozoa polyps. These polyps are small, colonial organisms that are abundant in the Amphorina pallida’s coastal habitat. The nudibranch uses its sharp, radula, a ribbon-like structure in its mouth, to scrape and consume the polyps. Interestingly, the Amphorina pallida is able to store the stinging nematocysts from its prey within its cerata. These stolen nematocysts provide the Amphorina pallida with an effective defense mechanism against predators.