Diaphorodoris
Diaphorodoris is a genus of dorid nudibranch, a group of colorful sea slugs. It is a genus of the family Chromodorididae and is comprised of only a few described species. Like other dorid nudibranchs, Diaphorodoris species have a soft, fleshy body with gills located on a cluster near the rear of the animal’s body. The genus was first described by the American zoologist Frank MacFarland in 1905, and since then, only a small number of species have been identified and described.
Common Names
There are no common names for the genus Diaphorodoris. However, individual species may be referred to by informal names within the scientific community or by local communities in the regions where they occur.
Characteristics
Diaphorodoris species share several characteristics, including:
- A soft, fleshy body with a characteristic dorid body shape
- Gills located on a cluster near the rear of the animal's body
- A mantle that covers the body, often with distinctive markings or patterns
- A pair of rhinophores, which are sensory organs that help the nudibranch to detect food and navigate
- A pair of oral tentacles, which are used to help the nudibranch capture prey
Environment
Diaphorodoris species are found in marine environments, typically in shallow waters. They are often observed on coral reefs and rocky substrates. The distribution of individual species varies, but some are known to occur in the Indo-Pacific region, the Caribbean, and the Mediterranean Sea.