Freeflow

Which sea slug?

As mentioned in the last post, I tried to make some identifications of the nudibranchs in included in the video using Debelius’ book (primarily). One species I couldn’t find in there was the first shown in the video. The identification was made (tentatively) from a small photo in Allen and Steene.

I posted a message to the marvellous Sea Slug Forum to double check the identification as Chromodoris geometrica. Moderator Dr. Bill Rudman was kind enough to confirm the ID and to add some extra detail:

Dear Stephen,
Yes this is C. geometrica. Apart from the typical colour pattern, your video also shows its characteristic flapping of the anterior mantle. I am also pretty sure the pinkish purple patches visible in the photo – and more so in the video – are the remains of a colony of its food sponge Chelonaplysilla violacea.
Best wishes,
Bill Rudman

The individual species profiles include fascinating details. For example, the entry on Ch. kuniei mentions the characteristic mantle waving behaviour which I think is what is seen in the video (1’ 12”).

Great site!

Stephen · Wednesday, August 23, 2006, 13:51 · Permalink