Tritoniopsis frydis from Little Cayman Island

January 29, 2005
From: Kathryn Dickson


Hello Dr. Rudman -

This very orange tiny nudibranch was seen while diving off the south shore of Little Cayman Island in early December 2004. We were not able to find any creature resembling it in Humann's guide, or on looking through the photos posted on the sea slug forum. It was brilliantly orange with no other markings. Unfortunately the photo is somewhat out of focus. We would be grateful if you could identify it for us.

Locality: Southern Shore, Little Cayman Island, British Cayman Islands, Caribbean Sea. Depth: 25 feet. Length: 1 inch. early December 2004, on healthy coral reef. Photographer: Kathryn Dickson

Thanks! I love the Sea Slug Forum!

Kathy Dickson

Kathy.Dickson@ec.gc.ca

Dickson, Kathryn M., 2005 (Jan 29) Tritoniopsis frydis from Little Cayman Island. [Message in] Sea Slug Forum. Australian Museum, Sydney. Available from http://www.seaslugforum.net/find/12941

Dear Kathy,
I am pretty sure this is the yellow colour form of Tritoniopsis frydis. Have a look at Linda Ianniello's message [#7981].  The Flamingo tongue ovulid, Cyphoma gibbosum, in the top right of your lower photo, is a good clue. It feeds on gorgonians, as does Tritoniopsis, so its a pretty good indicator that the yellow 'slug' is a gorgonian feeder as well. What I don't know is whether the two species will eat a range of gorgonians or whether they are specialist feeders.
Best wishes,
Bill Rudman

Rudman, W.B., 2005 (Jan 29). Comment on Tritoniopsis frydis from Little Cayman Island by Kathryn Dickson. [Message in] Sea Slug Forum. Australian Museum, Sydney. Available from http://www.seaslugforum.net/find/12941

Factsheet

Tritoniopsis frydis

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