About Doriopsilla miniata (Alder & Hancock, 1864)
This species, commonly called the scribbled nudibranch, has a smooth body colored yellow-brown, with opaque white lines across its notum. It can grow to a total length of 50 millimeters. This species was first described from Waltair, India. It has been reported across the Indo-Pacific Ocean, including Australia. In the past, it was treated as a synonym of the Mediterranean species Doriopsilla areolata. Along the southern African coast, it occurs from the Atlantic side of the Cape Peninsula to Sodwana Bay, and ranges from the intertidal zone down to at least 30 meters depth. Following recent research on Doriopsilla species found in California, it is now considered likely that Doriopsilla miniata represents a species complex. This nudibranch feeds on sponges. It does not have a tooth-bearing radula (tongue structure). Instead, it digests prey sponges using digestive enzymes produced by its oral gland. The externally digested sponge cells are then pumped into its mouth. The appearance of Doriopsilla miniata is mimicked by the sea snail Trivia millardi.
