Dendronotus patricki | |
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Scientific classification | |
Domain: | Eukaryota |
Kingdom: | Animalia |
Phylum: | Mollusca |
Class: | Gastropoda |
Subclass: | Heterobranchia |
Order: | Nudibranchia |
Suborder: | Cladobranchia |
Family: | Dendronotidae |
Genus: | Dendronotus |
Species: | D. patricki
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Binomial name | |
Dendronotus patricki Stout, N. G. Wilson & Valdés, 2011
[1]
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Dendronotus patricki is a species of sea slug, a dendronotid nudibranch, a shell-less marine gastropod mollusc in the family Dendronotidae. [2]
This species was described from a whalefall, a dead whale which was experimentally placed in Monterey Canyon, California at a depth of 1820 m ( 36°42′30″N 122°06′19″W / 36.70833°N 122.10528°W). It was also seen on video from an ROV at another whalefall in Santa Cruz Basin, 33°29′40″N 119°22′04″W / 33.49444°N 119.36778°W at a depth of 1676 m. [1]
Dendronotus patricki is a translucent species of Dendronotus with no surface markings and a reddish-brown hue to the body. It grows to at least 25 mm in length. There is a small amount of opaque white pigment at the tips of the dorsal appendages, velar appendages and rhinophore sheath papillae. [1]
Dendronotus patricki was found crawling on a muddy seabed. Its stomach contents included structures thought to be nematocysts. It is possible that it feeds on burrowing cerianthid anemones as does Dendronotus iris. [1]