Crowned nudibranch (Polycera capensis)
Source-cited species reference: taxonomy from WoRMS, biology from SeaLifeBase, occurrence map from GBIF.
Last updated
Seascapeza · via Wikipedia: Crowned nudibranch · CC BY 3.0
Crowned nudibranch (Polycera capensis) is a marine species in the family Polyceridae (Mollusca › Gastropoda › Nudibranchia), recorded in the World Register of Marine Species as Polycera capensis Quoy & Gaimard, 1824 under AphiaID 225509.
Scientific classification
- KingdomAnimalia
- PhylumMollusca
- ClassGastropoda
- OrderNudibranchia
- FamilyPolyceridae
- GenusPolycera
- SpeciesPolycera capensis
Named by Quoy & Gaimard, 1824
Sources: Wikipedia taxobox: Crowned nudibranch (CC BY-SA 4.0) · order, family and genus agree with WoRMS AphiaID 225509 (CC BY 4.0)
How big is it?
Largest length in the source, 0.07 m, next to a 1.8 m person.
Diagram: drawn by Codexery, schematic shapes to scale (not a likeness). Length: SeaLifeBase species summary
Where the crowned nudibranch (polycera capensis) has been recorded
Each dot is a place where the species has been observed and reported (1,054 records, half-degree grid) — not a modelled range. 19 inland records left out (institution coordinates).
Map: drawn by Codexery. Data: GBIF occurrence search (records CC0 / CC BY) · Natural Earth basemap (public domain)
Classification (WoRMS)
Full classification as recorded by WoRMS: Kingdom: Animalia · Phylum: Mollusca · Class: Gastropoda · Order: Nudibranchia · Family: Polyceridae · Genus: Polycera.
Accepted name: Polycera capensis · Authority: Quoy & Gaimard, 1824 · Taxonomic status: accepted · AphiaID: 225509.
Synonyms and superseded combinations recorded for this taxon: Polycera conspicua J. K. Allan, 1932; Polycera nigrocrocea Barnard, 1927.
Source: World Register of Marine Species (WoRMS) — https://www.marinespecies.org/aphia.php?p=taxdetails&id=225509 (CC BY 4.0). Accessed 2026-09-25.
Biology and life history (SeaLifeBase)
Measured values published by SeaLifeBase for Polycera capensis. Only fields the database actually holds for this species are shown; these are database values, not aquarium guidance.
Maximum length: 7 cm · Depth range: 0–30 m · Habitat zone: benthic · Vulnerability index: 10 of 100 · Aquarium trade: never/rarely.
SeaLifeBase notes: Assumed maximum length from Ref. 844. Found from the intertidal fringe (Ref. 844), to depths of at least 30 m (Ref. 866).
Source: SeaLifeBase species summary (SpecCode 87192) — https://www.sealifebase.se/summary/Polycera-capensis.html (CC BY-NC 3.0 — non-commercial use only). Accessed 2026-09-25.
Distribution and occurrence records (GBIF)
1,054 georeferenced occurrence records for Polycera capensis are published through GBIF from 2 countries or marine areas. The map above plots 23 distinct locations from a sample of 1,054 records, omitting 19 inland records that carry an institution's coordinates rather than a collection site; it shows where the species has been observed and reported, not a modelled range.
Most records by country or area: Australia (582); South Africa (472).
The full country table, WoRMS marine regions and the sampling notes are on this species' Distribution page.
Source: GBIF Occurrence Search (taxonKey 4359894) — https://www.gbif.org/occurrence/search?taxon_key=4359894&has_coordinate=true (records CC0 / CC BY); WoRMS distribution records (MarineRegions) — https://www.marinespecies.org/aphia.php?p=taxdetails&id=225509 (CC BY 4.0); Natural Earth 110m basemap — https://www.naturalearthdata.com/ (public domain). Accessed 2026-09-25.
Related in Crowned nudibranch
Links follow this subject's own source article.
Elsewhere in Crowned nudibranch
Sources
Compiled from Wikipedia and the sources listed below. Text from Wikipedia is available under CC BY-SA 4.0; this entry is adapted from it.
- Wikipedia: Crowned nudibranch (CC BY-SA 4.0).
- Classification: the source article's taxobox; order, family and genus checked against WoRMS, the World Register of Marine Species (CC BY 4.0).
- Occurrence records: GBIF (CC0 / CC BY). Basemap: Natural Earth (public domain).
- Biology values: SeaLifeBase species summary (CC BY-NC 3.0, non-commercial).
- Word definitions: the , each quoted from its Wikipedia article.
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