Species of gastropod
The alabaster nudibranch, white-lined Dirona, or frosted sea slug (Dirona albolineata) is an Eastern Pacific Ocean opisthobranch gastropod mollusk in the family Dironidae.[1]
Distribution
This species occurs in the Eastern Pacific Ocean from Alaska to San Diego, California.[2]
Description
Dirona albolineata can reach a length of about 180 mm (7.1 in). This species, like others in the genus, is translucent with large, broad and quite flat cerata. In these nudibranchs the cerata lack cnidosacs.
The most common D. albolineata is translucent with opalescent white outlining the cerata and the midline of the tail, but the color varies from white through rose pink, pale orange, lavender to a rufous shade.[2][3]
Biology
These nudibranchs are carnivores that feed on a wide variety of prey, mostly on bryozoans, on small crustaceans, hydroids, ascidians, and snails. [2] They can be found all the year around in the shallow subtidal cold waters, at depths of 0 to 28 m.[4]
They are simultaneous hermaphrodites. Consequently both individuals darts their penis to penetrate the body of the other, then both act simultaneously as male and female.[4] Spawning occurs in both the winter and summer.[3]
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