In the Eudoridoidea the gills can be withdrawn into a pocket for protection. Another name for the superfamily is the "Cryptobranchia" which basically means "hidden gills".

   Gills extended

Gills partially retracted

Caracterized by :

- Oval mantles that cover their foot entirely. The mantle have a smooth surface to the touch.
   - In most cases the gills form an arc, open posteriorly, around the anus, and in some cases almost a complete circle
   - Lamellated rhinophores and one pair of tentacles
   - They are sponge feeder and possess a large radula

Body and mantle :

Mantle firm and spiculate ( which give them a rough surface to the touch ) with large club-shaped tubercles.

The mantle along the sides is wide, extending down to hide the foot.

Photo : C. ornatissima

Mantle glands :

Mantle glands are numerous with an inner row of large compound glands and two outer rows of clusters of small single glands.

Photo : C. ornatissima

Gills :

The gills are simple with a tendency to branch

Rhinophores :

Lamellated rhinophores.

Body and mantle :

Species of Chromodoris are dorso-ventrally flattened ( flatter than members of other genera ), the mantle is elongately-ovate and the posterior end of the foot extends beyond the mantle when the animal is crawling.

The mantle forms the dorsal body wall and extends out further than the lateral soft body wall all around forming what is called the mantle skirt or mantle overlap.

Photo : C. geminus

Gills :

The gills are usually simple ( planar structure with simple lamellae along each side) and form a circle, which is sometimes broken posteriorly, around the anus.

In a few cases ( C. splendida ) the gills are quadrangular in cross-section

Photo : C conchyliata

Rhinophores :

Lamellated rhinophores.

Body and mantle :

Small size, mantle elongately-oval with a large mantle overlap

It closed to Chromodoris but the anatomy of the foregut and the reproductive system clearly preclude it from that genus

Photo : D. lemniscata

Gills :

The gills are simple

Rhinophores :

Lamellated rhinophores.

Photo : D. pusilla

Body and mantle :

They have a relatively hight and firm body, many species of Glossodoris have a quite thick muscular body wall (G.atromarginata).

The mantle edge, sometimes very reduced, is thrown into a series of sinuous ( G hikuerensis) semi-permanent or permanent folds.

Mantles are often edged with a contrasting colour to the central area

Photo: C. atromarginata

Gills :

In Glossodoris the gill appears almost inflated, with the inner and outer edges becoming rounded sides so that in cross-section the gill is sub-quadrangular

Like in Risbecia, the two ends of the the circle (or horse-shoe) arc of gills, extends at each end into a secondary spiral so greatly increasing the number of gills. Simple circlet of gills are observed in the juvenile.

Like in Risbecia and Thorunna all the gills wave or wriggle rhythmically.

Photo : G. hikuerensis

Rhinophores :

Lamellated rhinophores.

Photo : G. hikuerensis

Body and mantle :

The body have a hight profile with a narrow mantle overlap along the sides, widening somewhat anteriorly

They frequently have longitudinal line on the dorsal surface

Photo : H. bullocki

Gills :

The gills are usually simple ( planar structure with simple lamellae along each side) and form a circle, which is sometimes broken posteriorly, around the anus.

They are usually simple but are sometimes triangular in cross section.

Photo H.bullocki

Rhinophores :

Lamellated rhinophores.

Photo : H. bullocki

Body and mantle :

In Noumea the body shape is very similar to typical Chromodoris but the anterior end of the foot extends into triangular foot corners (not visible in this photo...) visible beyond the mantle edge when the animal is crawling.

The mantle overlap is usually narrow and the soft body relatively high.

Photo : N. varians

Gills :

The gills are simple and there are only a few arranged in a circle around the anus.

Rhinophores :

Lamellated rhinophores.

Body and mantle :

The body is high and firm to the touch with a relatively narrow mantle overlap along the sides but around the head this broadens to give a spatulate shape to the body.

They are generally found crawling in pairs, one attached to the back of the other

Photo : R. pulchella

Gills :

The gills are simple.

Like in Glossodoris, the two ends of the the circle (or horse-shoe) arc of gills, extends at each end into a secondary spiral so greatly increasing the number of gills.

Like Glossodoris and Thorunna all the gills wave or wriggle rhythmically.

Photo : R. pulchella

Rhinophores :

Lamellated rhinophores. (partially retracted in this photo...)

Photo : R. pulchella

Body and mantle :

The soft body is elongate and relatively high with a very narrow mantle overlap along the sides

Most species are white with colored marginal bands

Photo : T. horologia

Gills :

The gills are simple, few in number

Like in Risbecia and Glossodoris, all the gills wave or wriggle rhythmically.

Rhinophores :

Lamellated rhinophores.