Polyceridae Family of Nudibranchs

One Nudibranch of the Polyceridae Family is found in this website:

Slimy-Slug, Tambja abdere. A representative of the Polyceridae Family of  Dorids and Sea Slugs.

Phylogeny: Nudibranchs of the Polyceridae Family are in the phylum Mollusca. They are in the class Gastropoda, the subclass Heterobranchia, the infraclass Euthyneura, the subterclass Ringipleura, and the  superorder Nudipleura, They are in the order Doridida.  Nudibranchs have “naked gills” exposed on their backs that are utilized to separate nudibranchs into two main classifications, the Aeolids and the Dorids. The Aeolids have a mantle that forms a series of finger-like projections (cerrata) along the entire back of the animal. The Dorids have a thick mantle on their back (dorsal surface) that extends over the foot. Their gills consist of feathery plumes that encircle the anus. The Polyceridae Family is  in the infraorder Doridoidei and the superfamily Polyceroidea. The Polyceridae Family is large, with six subfamilies, twenty-four genera, and around two hundred eleven species. The name Polyceridae comes from the Greek words meaning “many horns”, and refers to the many tentacles found on the head and body of these nudibranchs. Historically this family has been known as Polyceratidae and some sources still utilize that name. Species in this family are also commonly called Polycerids

Morphology: Polycerid Nudibranchs are soft-bodied dorids. Their mantle skirt is reduced, forming a rim around the margin. All nudibranchs have rhinophores (horn-like projections) on their heads that are chemosensory organs that help them to locate food and potential mates. In this family the rhinophores are lamellate, sometimes arising from well-developed sheaths. These nudibranchs are often covered with elaborate tubercles or dorsal processes. Their gills are set forward, toward the center of the body. Most species in the family have strong, chitinous jaws. They are soft-bodied gastropods that lose their shells during their larval phase. Nudibranchs lack complex eyes but have photoreceptors that sense light and dark. Despite their inability to see color, nudibranchs are some of the most brightly colored of all animals. They derive the pigments for their color from the food they eat. Polycerid nudibranchs vary in size, ranging from 1 cm (0.4 inches ) to 15 cm (5.8 inches) in length.

Habitat and Distribution: Polycerid Nudibranchs are found on, or under, rocks, in crevasses, and on vertical or overhanging surfaces in the intertidally zone, and at depths up to 60 m (200 feet). Polycerids are found worldwide, in tropical to temperate waters. At least thirteen species from this family are found in Mexican waters.

Ecosystem Roles: Polycerid Nudibranchs are specialized predators that prey on brittle stars, bryozoans, tunicates, and other nudibranchs. They are prey for fish, crabs, sea stars, and other nudibranchs. Species in the genus Plocamopherus can swim to avoid predation by flexing their bodies latterly.  Some species in this family are bioluminescent.