Kathleen Boyd
Info
Felimida regalis (Ortea, Caballer & Moro, 2001)
The specific epithet regalis is Latin and means "royal".
The body and mantle are translucent with a pink sheen. In addition, the entire mantle is covered by a fine network of reddish lines. The surface of the mantle is dotted with small, rounded white tubercles. As their number varies from specimen to specimen, they are probably small skin glands. A thin, milky-yellow band runs along the edge of the mantle, and another surrounds the foot.
The rhinophores are translucent pink, with the lamellae finely edged in reddish. The gills, which are essentially simple in structure, are also translucent pink. Their inner and outer edges (the gill rachises) are lined with red. In some specimens, individual gill branches are so well developed that a double red line is visible along the inner edge.
Juveniles are a delicate lilac with a white mantle edge and white rhinophores. Their colouration bears no resemblance to that of the adults.
Felimida regalis inhabits shallow to moderately deep areas of coral reefs and rocky substrates, where it crawls openly over hard surfaces.
Members of the genus are specialist feeders on particular sponges. This species feeds on unidentified toxic sponges and incorporates their toxins into its body as a deterrent against predators.
Synonymised names
Chromodoris regalis (Ortea, Caballer & Moro, 2001) · unaccepted
Noumea regalis Ortea, Caballer & Moro, 2001 · unaccepted (original combination)
The specific epithet regalis is Latin and means "royal".
The body and mantle are translucent with a pink sheen. In addition, the entire mantle is covered by a fine network of reddish lines. The surface of the mantle is dotted with small, rounded white tubercles. As their number varies from specimen to specimen, they are probably small skin glands. A thin, milky-yellow band runs along the edge of the mantle, and another surrounds the foot.
The rhinophores are translucent pink, with the lamellae finely edged in reddish. The gills, which are essentially simple in structure, are also translucent pink. Their inner and outer edges (the gill rachises) are lined with red. In some specimens, individual gill branches are so well developed that a double red line is visible along the inner edge.
Juveniles are a delicate lilac with a white mantle edge and white rhinophores. Their colouration bears no resemblance to that of the adults.
Felimida regalis inhabits shallow to moderately deep areas of coral reefs and rocky substrates, where it crawls openly over hard surfaces.
Members of the genus are specialist feeders on particular sponges. This species feeds on unidentified toxic sponges and incorporates their toxins into its body as a deterrent against predators.
Synonymised names
Chromodoris regalis (Ortea, Caballer & Moro, 2001) · unaccepted
Noumea regalis Ortea, Caballer & Moro, 2001 · unaccepted (original combination)
