About Chromodoris westraliensis (O'Donoghue, 1924)
Chromodoris westraliensis is a species of nudibranch that can grow up to 65 millimetres in length. A mantle covers its upper body and extends outward to form a skirt-like shape along the sides. Its body has a black background patterned with one or two bright blue patches, all outlined in orange. This aposematic coloration warns potential predators of the nudibranch's toxicity. Two tentacle-shaped sensory organs called rhinophores are orange and sit on the upper surface of its head. Its clustered, plumose gills are also orange and arranged near its anus. This nudibranch species is found along the coast of Western Australia, ranging from the northern Kimberley region south to the area near Esperance. It is the most abundant nudibranch in the Perth region. It inhabits shallow water, including partially exposed reefs, and can be found at depths up to 18 metres. These nudibranchs feed on sponges, typically a single sponge species, and store toxins from the sponges they eat to deter their own potential predators.
