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ALEXANDRE MEINESZ

Giant Doris

In Dive.Explo360: Mediterranean · Northeast Atlantic · Atlantic Ocean

The giant doris stands out as it glides slowly over a rock wall. Its bright colours and remarkable size immediately catch the eye. It is often seen on the sponges it grazes on.

Habitat de Giant Doris Habitat
Wreck, Seagrass meadow, Rocky habitat
Profondeur de Giant Doris Depth
5-50 m
Groupe biologique de Giant Doris Group
Mollusc
Rôle écologique de Giant Doris Role
Predator

WHAT DOES IT LOOK LIKE?

The giant doris is a large nudibranch with an elongated, flexible body that can show different colour variations. It is most often blue with paler lines and patterns edged in yellow, but some forms may be paler. At the front, two upright rhinophores allow it to sense its surroundings, while at the rear, a plume of gills forms a distinctive crown. Its large size and contrasting patterns make it easy to identify.

WHERE DOES IT LIVE?

It mainly lives on rocky seabeds, drop-offs and areas rich in attached organisms. It is sometimes found near seagrass beds, but remains mainly associated with hard substrates where the sponges it feeds on grow. It generally lives between a few metres and around fifty metres deep.

WHAT DOES IT EAT?

The giant doris feeds on sponges that it scrapes with its radula. This specialised diet makes it dependent on certain sponge species over which it moves.

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Predatory species

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