Mexichromis trilineata | |
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Mexichromis trilineata | |
Scientific classification ![]() | |
Domain: | Eukaryota |
Kingdom: | Animalia |
Phylum: | Mollusca |
Class: | Gastropoda |
Subclass: | Heterobranchia |
Order: | Nudibranchia |
Suborder: | Doridina |
Superfamily: | Doridoidea |
Family: | Chromodorididae |
Genus: | Mexichromis |
Species: | M. trilineata
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Binomial name | |
Mexichromis trilineata | |
Synonyms | |
Mexichromis trilineata is a colourful species of sea slug, specifically a dorid nudibranch. This marine gastropod mollusc is in the family Chromodorididae.[3][4] In 2012 the genus Pectenodoris was included into Mexichromis.[5]
Mexichromis trilineata has been found in Sumbawa, Sulawesi and Bali, Indonesia; the Philippines, the South China Sea, Heron Island, Great Barrier Reef and Queensland, Australia.[6]
Mexichromis trilineata usually ranges from 7 mm to 15 mm in length, with an elongate to broadly oval body shape. The tail extends slightly beyond the posterior margin.[7] Mexichromis trilineata have three yellow longitudinal bands outlined in white, with the entire mantle edged with a fine white line. They have a few patches of yellow edged with white around the mantle edge, and the defensive mantle glands, arranged around the edge in roughly two series, are visible as pale pink patches.[8] The gills and rhinophores are typically violet at their bases and then translucent white with red markings.[9]
Although individuals of Mexichromis trilineata usually have three longitudinal lines as its name suggests, sometimes these lines are broken into a series of shorter lines, while occasionally the outer two lines are absent. Some specimens have yellow or orange markings on the white lines.[6]