Spiky Nudibranch, Brown-Spotted Bermudella – Bermudella brunneomaculata

The Spiky Nudibranch, Brown-Spotted Bermudella, scientifically known as Bermudella brunneomaculata, is a captivating marine invertebrate belonging to the diverse world of nudibranchs. These colorful and fascinating creatures are renowned for their vibrant appearances and intricate body forms.

Description & Characteristics

As its common name suggests, Bermudella brunneomaculata boasts a spiky exterior, with a distinctive brown-spotted pattern adorning its body. This pattern provides camouflage, allowing the nudibranch to blend seamlessly with its surroundings. The exact size of this species varies, but it typically reaches a moderate length, making it a relatively large nudibranch compared to some of its smaller counterparts.

Habitat and Occurrence

The Spiky Nudibranch, Brown-Spotted Bermudella is a common sight in a variety of marine habitats. It is frequently found in algae zones, coralline soils, coral quarries, and sponge areas. The species thrives in seawater environments, particularly in the subtidal, sublittoral, and infralittoral zones, which encompass the lower limit of the intertidal zone and extend down to the shelf edge at approximately 200 meters. This distribution places Bermudella brunneomaculata firmly within the neritic zone, a region of the ocean characterized by relatively shallow waters.

Taxonomy

The scientific classification of Bermudella brunneomaculata places it within the Class: Gastropoda, Order: Nudibranchia, and Family: Goniodorididae. This taxonomic framework highlights its close relationships with other gastropods, nudibranchs, and goniodorid nudibranchs, respectively.

Feeding

Bermudella brunneomaculata is a food specialist, its diet consisting primarily of hydrozoa polyps. These polyps, which are small, often colonial organisms, serve as the primary food source for this nudibranch. While there is no reliable information available on the specific feeding techniques employed by Bermudella brunneomaculata, it is likely that it uses its specialized mouthparts to capture and consume these polyps.