Felimida regalis

{{Short description|Species of gastropod}} {{Speciesbox | image = | image_caption = | genus = Felimida | species = regalis | authority = (Ortea, Caballer & Moro, 2001) | synonyms_ref = <ref name="WoRMS2" /> | synonyms = * ''Chromodoris regalis'' <small>(Ortea, Caballer & Moro, 2001)</small> * ''Noumea regalis'' <small>Ortea, Caballer & Moro, 2001</small> (basionym) }}

== Physical traits and location == '''''Felimida regalis''''' is a species of colorful sea slug, a dorid nudibranch, a marine gastropod mollusk in the family Chromodorididae.<ref name="WoRMS2">Bouchet, P. (2012). Felimida regalis. Accessed through: World Register of Marine Species at http://www.marinespecies.org/aphia.php?p=taxdetails&id=597457 on 2012-05-10</ref><ref name="Bouchet2">Bouchet P. & Rocroi J.-P. (Ed.); Frýda J., Hausdorf B., Ponder W., Valdes A. & Warén A. 2005. ''Classification and nomenclator of gastropod families''. Malacologia: International Journal of Malacology, 47(1-2). ConchBooks: Hackenheim, Germany. {{ISBN|3-925919-72-4}}. ISSN 0076-2997. 397 pp. http://www.vliz.be/Vmdcdata/imis2/ref.php?refid=78278</ref>

They have no shell and are known for their striking coloration and chemical defenses.

'''''Felimida regalis''''' is noted for its bright and contrasting coloration, typically featuring a dark or bluish body with yellow, orange, or pale longitudinal markings. The mantle edge is often highlighted by a distinct colored border. Like other chromodorid nudibranchs, it has external gills arranged in a rosette at the rear of the body and rhinophores on the head used for chemosensory detection.

'''''Felimida regalis''''' feeds primarily on sponges, from which it derives secondary metabolites used as chemical defenses. These compounds are stored in its tissues, making it distasteful or toxic to predators.

'''Felimida regalis''' is a nudibrach<ref>{{Citation |title=Nudibranch |date=2025-12-08 |work=Wikipedia |url=https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Nudibranch&oldid=1326369347 |access-date=2025-12-17 |language=en}}</ref>, meaning it is a sea slug.

As with other nudibranchs, it is hermaphroditic, possessing both male and female reproductive organs, though mating still requires a partner.

The species epithet ''regalis'' comes from Latin<ref>{{Citation |title=Latin |date=2025-12-09 |work=Wikipedia |url=https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Latin&oldid=1326582973 |access-date=2025-12-17 |language=en}}</ref>, meaning '''“'''royal”, likely referencing the animal’s vivid, ornate coloration.

The recorded length of the body varies between 13 mm.<ref name="Welch 20102">Welch J. J. (2010). "The "Island Rule" and Deep-Sea Gastropods: Re-Examining the Evidence". ''PLoS ONE'' '''5'''(1): e8776. {{doi|10.1371/journal.pone.0008776|doi-access=free}}.</ref> and 35 mm.

==Habitat== Minimum recorded depth is 9 m.<ref name="Welch 20102" /> Maximum recorded depth is 9 m.<ref name="Welch 20102" />

This species occurs in the Caribbean Sea off Costa Rica.

This species is found in the western Atlantic, including parts of the Caribbean Sea and the Gulf of Mexico. It inhabits shallow to moderate depths on coral reefs and rocky substrates, where it crawls openly across hard surfaces.

==References== {{Reflist}} * Ortea J., Caballer M. & Moro L. (2001) ''Una nueva especie del género Noumea Risbec, 1928 (Mollusca: Nudibranchia) del Caribe arrecifal de Costa Rica, descrita con motivo del Quinto Centenario de su descubrimiento.'' Avicennia 14: 1-6. page(s): 1 * Debelius, H. & Kuiter, R.H. (2007) ''Nudibranchs of the world''. ConchBooks, Frankfurt, 360 pp. {{ISBN|978-3-939767-06-0}} page(s): 181 * [http://www.plosone.org/article/info%3Adoi%2F10.1371%2Fjournal.pone.0033479 Johnson 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.]

Category:Chromodorididae Category:Gastropods described in 2001