Spurilla major from northern N.S.W

January 5, 2005
From: Denis Riek

Dear Bill,
Here are some shots of another visitor to the river this year.I'm not sure but it looks a lot like Spurilla salaamica. I observed several under rocks in shallow water, always in pairs but failed to see any egg laying activity.
Other members of this family seen over the winter months were Spurilla australis and Spurilla major. Aeolidiella alba was very common, "shuffling" over rocks and also saw many specimens of what I think is Anteaeolidiella indica.

Locality:  Brunswick River, New South Wales, Australia, Pacific. Depth: 2 metres, Length: 15mm, 4 July 2004. under rocks on river walls. Photographer: Denis Riek

Regards
Denis.

denisriek@hotmail.com

Riek, D.W, 2005 (Jan 5) Spurilla major from northern N.S.W. [Message in] Sea Slug Forum. Australian Museum, Sydney. Available from http://www.seaslugforum.net/find/12892

Dear Denis,
You certainly saw most of the regular aeolidiids you are likely to find in nthn New South Wales. I would like to see photos of them if you have them available. There is a possibility your animals here are Spurilla salaamica, but my feeling is that they are Spurilla major. Both species lack branching of the digestive gland in the dorsal skin of the body, but in S. major the rhinophores are quite short, as in your animal and there is a distinct set of white median colour patches, one on the anterior head and one over the heart, as you can see in your photos. The orange tinge is unusual,, but like the green colouration, I suspect its a result of the colours of the anemones they have been feeding on.
Best wishes,
Bill Rudman

Rudman, W.B., 2005 (Jan 5). Comment on Spurilla major from northern N.S.W by Denis Riek. [Message in] Sea Slug Forum. Australian Museum, Sydney. Available from http://www.seaslugforum.net/find/12892

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