Ardeadoris cruenta is a species of very colourful sea slug, a dorid nudibranch, a marinegastropodmollusc in the family Chromodorididae.[2] Its name is derived from the feminine form of the Latin word cruentus, which means "stained with blood" and is a reference to the red spots on its upper dorsum.[3] It was transferred to the genus Ardeadoris on the basis of DNA evidence.[4]
Ardeadoris cruenta has a pale-lemon colored body with a bright yellow and white lined frilly mantle and foot. There are red dots in a circular pattern on its dorsum next to the mantle edge. Both its rhinophores and gills have the same pale-lemon color as its body, although there is some color variation among individuals. It reaches a length of at least 50 mm.[6][7]
This species has similar coloring to the seaslug Ardeadoris rubroannulata, although that species lacks the red dots present in Ardeadoris cruenta.[8]
^Rudman W.B. (1986) The Chromodorididae (Ophistobranchia: Mollusca) of the Indo-West Pacific: the genus Glossodoris Ehrenbergh (= Casella, H. & A; Adams). Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society 86: 101-184. page(s): 167
^ abBouchet, P. (2012). Ardeadoris cruenta. Accessed through: World Register of Marine Species on 2012-06-18
^Rudman W.B. (1990) The Chromodorididae (Opisthobranchia: Mollusca) of the Indo-West Pacific: further species of Glossodoris, Thorunna and the Chromodoris aureomarginata colour group. Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society 100: 263-326 page(s): 279, 324
^Debelius, H. & Kuiter, R.H. (2007) Nudibranchs of the world. ConchBooks, Frankfurt, 360 pp. ISBN978-3-939767-06-0 page(s): 191
^Gosliner, T.M., Behrens, D.W. & Valdés, Á. (2008) Indo-Pacific Nudibranchs and seaslugs. A field guide to the world's most diverse fauna. Sea Challengers Natural History Books, Washington, 426 pp. page(s): 238