Hypselodoris Infucata

Hypselodoris infucata is a species of the vibrant sea slug or dorid nudibranch, classified under the marine gastropod mollusk family Chromodorididae. It predominantly feeds on sponges.

Originally described in the 🌊 Red Sea, Hypselodoris infucata's habitat ranges from the 🌊 Red Sea and 🌊 Western Indian Ocean, extending to the Hawaiian Islands, across the tropical Indo-West Pacific region. This species has successfully established a presence in the Mediterranean Sea, having spread as a Lessepsian migrant via the Suez Canal (🇪🇬 Egypt).

In terms of morphology, Hypselodoris infucata possesses a semi-translucent white body adorned with grey-blue patches, prominent yellow maculations, and minute black speckles. Its gills display a pristine white hue punctuated by a singular streak of red pigment along the external surfaces. The nudibranch's rhinophores are characterized by opaque whiteness, with the lamellae margins and the anterior of the club highlighted by red lines.

This particular species can attain a maximum length of up to 50 millimeters. It can be primarily differentiated from its congeners Hypselodoris kanga, Hypselodoris roo, and Hypselodoris confetti by the distinctive gill structure, whereby Hypselodoris infucata exhibits gills that have a single-edged outer face, contrasted by the aforementioned species which bear bi-edged outer gill faces, presenting a triangular profile.