Gastropods

Felimida binza – Harlequin Sea Goddess

Description

Felimida binza, also known as the harlequin sea goddess, is a colorful sea slug belonging to the Chromodorididae family. It reaches a maximum size of about 30 mm and is primarily found along the western Mediterranean coasts. Its body is often vividly colored, and it inhabits rocky substrates with sponges or under stones.

Diet

Felimida binza feeds on sponges, particularly the species Chelonaplysilla erecta. Like other chromodoridids, it has defensive glands in the white band around its mantle, which contain secondary metabolites—likely derived from the sponges it consumes.

Lifestyle

• Habitat: It is found in rocky coastal areas of the western Mediterranean, often near sponges.
• Reproduction: Like all chromodoridids, it is a hermaphrodite and engages in mutual mating.
• Eggs: The eggs are white and arranged in rows, forming two layers with about 9–10 eggs per row.

Fun Facts

• Distribution: It occurs from Florida to Brazil and is relatively common in its habitat.
• Identification: It can be confused with the similar species Felimida clenchi. Traditionally, species identification in nudibranchs relies heavily on the body color pattern