Anilao — 29 January 2026
- Location seen
- Anilao, Philippines
- Date seen
- 2026-01-29
Chromodoris dianae
Diana's Chromodoris
© Di Syrett / MacroDivers.com
About this species
- Current scientific name
- Chromodoris dianae
- Common name
- Diana's Chromodoris
- Order
- Nudibranchia - Doridoidea (Dorids)
- Type
- cryptobranchia
- Genus
- Chromodoris
- Species
- dianae
- Average size
- 60 mm
- Colours
- white, black, blue, orange
- Pattern
- bands
- Body shape
- Oval
- Rhinophores
- Horizontal
- Gills
- External gill plume
- Similar species
- Chromodoris alcalai, Chromodoris lochi
Geographic Distribution
Western Pacific Ocean.
Identification
Pale blue body with white margin, black band (may be broken) and black spots or lines down the centre of the notum. Gills white and orange from base to tip. The rhinophores are orange perfoliate and retractile as are the gills. The mantle border is white (and may have yellow spots).
General Notes
Obviously a favourite of mine as we share the same name. Until 2021 another species (alcalai) was thought to be Chromodoris dianae. Molecular research has separated the two species. Alcalai has a distinct 'smiling face' pattern and the gills are white at the base and orange/yellow towards the tips with a very noticeable change. C dianae has more random markings, the gills are orange down to the base with white on the inner side and it may be pure white (alcalai is often bluish with tiny white spots).