Discodorididae

Discodorididae is a family of dorid nudibranchs, marine gastropod mollusks within the suborder Doridina of the order Nudibranchia. The family includes numerous genera, with Discodoris as the type genus. Species in this group are typically flattened with a broad mantle that often extends to or over the edge of the foot. The dorsum may be smooth or ornamented with small projections or granules, and coloration is highly variable, frequently providing camouflage against the sponge prey and surrounding substrates.

Anatomically, discodorids have the characteristic dorid arrangement of gills: a circlet of feathery gills located on the posterior dorsal surface around the anus. The skin is often relatively firm or leathery compared with other nudibranchs. Like most nudibranchs, members of Discodorididae are simultaneous hermaphrodites and commonly mate reciprocally, laying gelatinous egg masses that hatch into free-swimming larvae.

Ecology and life history: Most species feed on sponges, with many showing preferences for specific sponge taxa. This trophic specialization influences their distribution and color patterns, which can resemble their prey as a form of camouflage. They inhabit a wide range of marine environments, from shallow reefs and rocky shores to deeper continental-shelf habitats, and occur in temperate and tropical seas worldwide.

Taxonomy and diversity: Discodorididae is part of the Doridoidea, containing a broad array of genera and species. The group displays substantial morphological and ecological diversity, and ongoing taxonomic revisions incorporate new molecular and morphological data to refine classifications within the family.