Distribution: Possibly common in the Solitary Islands Marine Park. Known from tropical and warm temperate waters of the Indo-West Pacific region, including the north of New Zealand. In Australia recorded from all states including Tasmania.
Ecological Notes: An intertidal species often found quite high on the shore. Specimen pictured discovered in rock pool. Known to feed on sponges, possibly Tedania spp.
Additional Notes: Variable in colouration, sometimes pale with red mantle edge and young specimens may be pink or orange. Larger white pustules surrounded by circles of smaller white pigment dots exude an acidic white substance when disturbed. Grows to at least 70 mm in length, specimen pictured around 40 mm long.
References: Gary Cobb, David Mullins, Nudibranchs Encyclopedia, 2nd Edition, 2015. Publishers Thomas Slone, Masalai Press and Tim Hochgrebe, Underwater Australasia. p.164.
Atlas of Living Australia website at https://bie.ala.org.au/search?q=dendrodoris+nigra. Accessed 24/07/18.
Australian Museum, Sea Slug Forum. http://www.seaslugforum.net/find/dendnigr. Accessed 24/07/18.