About Notodoris gardineri Eliot, 1906
Notodoris gardineri is a species of nudibranch that can grow to over 10 centimeters in length. The background body color of this species varies across different geographical regions. In the Maldives and Laccadives archipelagoes, individuals have a black body with yellow spots. Across the rest of the species' distribution range, individuals have a yellow body with black spots. Both the size and number of these spots vary between individual specimens. The yellow gills are located on the center of the dorsal side, and are protected by three round lobes. The body of Notodoris gardineri is stiff, and is protected by small spicules. The rhinophores are smooth, simple, yellow, and retractable. This species can be mistaken for Notodoris minor, which also has a yellow body with black markings. However, in Notodoris minor the black markings form lines on the body rather than spots. This species occurs in the tropical Indo-West Pacific. It lives on the external slope or top of coral reefs, and is most commonly found at depths between 7 and 15 meters.
