title: Glossodoris hikuerensis
text: # Glossodoris hikuerensis
  
  Glossodoris hikuerensis, is a species of sea slug, a colorful nudibranch, a marine gastropod mollusc in the family Chromodorididae.
  
  ## Distribution
  
  This species occurs in the tropical Indo-Pacific Ocean. It has been observed in localities as far apart as East Africa in the Indian Ocean to French Polynesia in the Pacific.
  
  ## Description
  
  Glossodoris hikuerensis has a pale-brown body which is covered by speckled white dots. It has a very frilly mantle edged with brown-black-brown lines. Its gills are semi-translucent white, and its rhinophores have the same speckled pale-brown pattern as its body. Glossodoris hikuerensis is a relatively large nudibranch and can reach at least 100 mm in length.
  
  * Glossodoris hikuerensis
  * Glossodoris hikuerensis
  
  ## Ecology
  
  This species, like many other nudibranchs, feeds on sponges. The only sponge identified as its food source is Hyrtios erectus. When disturbed, Glossodoris hikuerensis releases a milky-white substance which is a form of chemical defence.
  
  