The Diaphorodoris papillata belongs to the phylum MOLLUSCA, order NUDIBRANCHIA, suborder DORIDINA, superfamily, ANADORIDOIDEA, and the family ONCHIDORIDAE. This dorid is endemic to the Mediterranean Sea but is also found on the Canary Islands and the west coast of Portugal. It feeds on encrusting bryozoans and grows to a maximum length of 10mm. The Red Papillae Dorid’s white body is characterised by its bright red, pointed dorsal papillae and its yellow mantle border. Its rhinophores, also white like the body, are large, lamellated and with the terminal part opaque. Rhinophores are specialized anterior sensory organs on the dorsal surface of the head and are retractile (the pair of club-shaped structures which are the most prominent part of the external head anatomy of a nudibranch). This photo was taken at Reqqa Point on Gozo’s north coast. Photo taken by Brian Azzopardi
