Hypselodoris ghardaqana (Gohar & Aboul-Ela, 1957)

Description

A fairly large chromodorid with a whitish body scattered with yellow spots and a yellow mantle margin. It has only a few simple, unbranched gills. Several similarly yellow-spotted chromodorids share the same waters, resembling one another in colour.

Distribution

Red Sea and Indian Ocean, recorded from Egypt, Oman and Thailand. It was originally described from around Al-Ghardaqa (Hurghada) in the Red Sea and is considered uncommon.

Etymology

The specific epithet ghardaqana refers to Al-Ghardaqa (present-day Hurghada) on the Red Sea, the type locality.

Remarks

Thought to be a sponge feeder. It is distinguished from the similar, multi-gilled Hypselodoris pulchella by its few, simple gills.

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References

• Chromodoris ghardaqana n.sp., Gohar H.A.F. & Aboul-Ela I.A. (1957). The development of three chromodorids (with the description of a new species). Publications of the Marine Biological Station, Al-Ghardaqa (Red Sea). 9: 203-228.