Marine Life Encyclopedia
Corals and Other Invertebrates
Felimare Cantabrica
Hypselodoris cantabrica
Distribution
Restricted to the Bay of Biscay and the Mediterranean Sea
ECOSYSTEM/HABITAT
Rocky reefs
FEEDING HABITS
Foraging predator
TAXONOMY
Class Gastropoda (snails, slugs, and relatives), Superfamily Doridoidea (dorid nudibranchs)
Felimare cantabrica, like all nudibranchs, is simultaneously hermaphroditic – each individual produces both eggs and sperm. An individual cannot fertilize its own eggs, however, and pairs still must mate. They reproduce via internal fertilization and lay eggs, which they stick to the reef surface or other hard substrates. The long strings of eggs are often spiral shaped. Neither parent cares for or guards the eggs.
Like most small marine invertebrates, little is known about the conservation status of Felimare cantabrica, but this species has a relatively small home range. Therefore, any significant changes to the rocky reef ecosystems in its range or general threats to the marine environment could risk this naturally rare species.
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