Discodoris Atromaculata Nudibranch

Discodoris atromaculata

Discodoris atromaculata is a large dorid nudibranch found in the Mediterranean Sea and eastern Atlantic. Adults reach 6-12 cm and display a broad, oval body with a cream to pale yellow background covered in irregular brown to dark chocolate spots, resembling a leopard or cow pattern. The mantle surface has a distinctive velvety texture with tiny tubercles. They inhabit rocky reefs and cave walls at depths of 5-50 meters, feeding primarily on the sponge Petrosia ficiformis, on which they are often found resting and are well camouflaged. They lay their eggs in distinctive flat, ribbon-like spirals on rock surfaces. Their large size compared to many other Mediterranean nudibranchs makes them relatively easy to spot, and their attractive spotted pattern makes them a popular macro photography subject. They are one of the most frequently encountered nudibranch species throughout the Mediterranean basin.