Dendrodoris nigra (Stimpson, 1855)

Like Dendrodoris fumata, Dendrodoris nigra is known to be a variable species. In color, the two species may at times overlap, and both share several different color forms. One way to tell this difference is said to be in the size of the gills. In D. fumata, the gills are large and cover much of the animal's width near the posterior end. In D. nigra, the gills are generally just a small cluster of branchiae roughly in the shape of a ball. This species is relatively common under rocks in shallow water. We have found it at Enewetak, Kwajalein, Bikini, and Ujelang Atolls, generally under dead coral at depths less than 10 meters. The adult below has just put deposited an egg mass.

Juvenile Dendrodoris nigra are often bright red in color.

Sometimes the adults retain a bit of the juvenile red coloration. The gills on the bottom one are hard to see, but seem suspiciously large. Is it D. fumata?

Created 28 December 2006
Updated 2 July 2008