Doto coronata
(Gmelin, 1791)

Order: NUDIBRANCHIA
Suborder: DENDRONOTINA
Family: Dotidae

DISTRIBUTION

European Atlantic coast, and western Mediterranean.

PHOTO

Plompe toren, de Oosterschelde, the Netherlands. PHOTOS: Peter H. van Bragt

Many older references to this species are probably misidentifications. Usually grows to about 12mm, and probably feeds exclusively on the hydroid Eudendrium.

Of particular interest is the demonstration (Morrow et al, 1992) that 'Doto coronata' is probably a complex of similar looking species, each feeding on a different species of hydroid. The photo here (see message below) from the Netherlands is of particular interest because the original description was based on a specimen collected on Eudendrium from the Dutch coast.

See Doto sp. 8 for specimens which look like Doto coronata from the east coast of Nth America.

References:
• Morrow, C.C., Thorpe, J.P. & Picton, B.E., (1992) Genetic divergence and cryptic speciation in two morphs of the common subtidal nudibranch Doto coronata (Opisthobranchia: Dendronotacea: Dotoidae) from the northern Irish Sea. Marine ecology progress Series, 84: 53-61.
• Thompson, T.E. & Brown, G.H. (1984) Biology of Opisthobranch Molluscs, Vol 2. Ray Society: London.

Related messages

  1. Re: Characteristic feature of Doto coronata
    From: Peter H. van Bragt, March 23, 2003
  2. Doto coronata radula
    From: Bernard Picton , August 2, 2002
  3. Doto coronata from the Netherlands
    From: Peter H. van Bragt, August 23, 1999

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