Red Platydoris – Platydoris sanguinea

The Red Platydoris, scientifically known as Platydoris sanguinea, is a striking and captivating sea slug belonging to the family Discodorididae. This species is renowned for its vibrant red coloration and its fascinating feeding habits.

Description & Characteristics

The Red Platydoris, as its name suggests, boasts a striking red body. Its size can reach up to 50 mm in length. While its overall appearance is characterized by a smooth and elongated body, the dorsal surface features numerous small white spots that contribute to its distinctive aesthetic. This sea slug lacks a shell, a characteristic feature of nudibranchs, and possesses a pair of retractable rhinophores on its head, used for detecting chemical signals in its environment.

Habitat and Occurrence

Platydoris sanguinea is a common inhabitant of coral reefs and other marine environments. It can be found in the subtidal, sublittoral, and infralittoral zones, typically at depths ranging from the lower limit of the intertidal zone to the shelf edge, approximately 200 meters deep. This wide depth range makes it a prevalent presence in the neritic zone, the area of the ocean extending from the shoreline to the edge of the continental shelf.

Taxonomy

Platydoris sanguinea belongs to the Class Gastropoda, the largest and most diverse group of mollusks, which includes snails, slugs, and limpets. Within the Gastropoda, Platydoris sanguinea is classified under the Order Nudibranchia, commonly known as sea slugs. Nudibranchs are characterized by their lack of a shell and their distinctive external gills. Platydoris sanguinea further belongs to the Family Discodorididae, a family of nudibranchs known for their typically colorful and often brightly colored bodies.

Feeding

The Red Platydoris is a food specialist, primarily feeding on sponges. This dietary preference is reflected in its scientific name, Platydoris sanguinea, which translates to “flat doris of blood,” a nod to its red coloration and its association with sponges, often known as the “blood of the sea.” This unique feeding habit makes Platydoris sanguinea an integral part of the marine ecosystem, helping to regulate sponge populations.