Goniobranchus preciosus is a species of colourful sea slug, a dorid nudibranch, a marine gastropod mollusc in the family Chromodorididae.Bouchet, P. (2012). Goniobranchus preciosus. Accessed through: World Register of Marine Species on 2012-05-07Johnson R.F. & Gosliner T.M. (2012) Traditional taxonomic groupings mask evolutionary history: A molecular phylogeny and new classification of the chromodorid nudibranchs. PLoS ONE 7(4): e33479
Distribution The type locality for this species is Ceylon (Sri Lanka). It has been reported widely in the Indo-West Pacific region.Rudman W.B. (1985) The Chromodorididae (Opisthobranchia: Mollusca) of the Indo-West Pacific: Chromodoris aureomarginata, C. verrieri and C. fidelis colour groups. Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society 83: 241-299. page(s): 268
Description Goniobranchus preciosus has a white mantle with three lines of colour at the edge. The mantle rim is marked by a thin white line, with a dark red band inside this and then a yellow band. The rhinophore clubs are brown with white edges to the lamellae and the gill leaves are also brown with white markings.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 219. The body length varies between 15 mm and 30 mm.Rudman, W.B., 2000 (July 2) Chromodoris preciosa (Kelaart, 1858). [In] Sea Slug Forum. Australian Museum, Sydney.Debelius, H. & Kuiter, R.H. (2007) Nudibranchs of the world. ConchBooks, Frankfurt, 360 pp. page(s): 164 This species is very similar to Goniobranchus verrieri and most easily distinguished by the white margin to the mantle. Goniobranchus trimarginatus is also similar, but has white gills and rhinophores and red speckles in the middle of the back.
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