First record of Stiliger smaragdinus from NZ

February 17, 2005
From: Alan Morrison

Dear Bill,
Thank you for your interest in my postings on Wade Doak's website. The pictures were both taken in a small bay at Taiharuru a few kilometers north of the entrance to Whangarei Harbour in January this year. The grapeweed slugs were in about 4-5 metres of water and between 5-10mm long. My buddy had seen one there the previous summer and we found four more this year

See post on Wade Doak's website at:[http://www.wadedoak.com/_disc1/0000045b.htm ].

Cheers,
Alan Morrison

aquaman@maxnet.co.nz

Morrison, A., 2005 (Feb 17) First record of Stiliger smaragdinus from NZ. [Message in] Sea Slug Forum. Australian Museum, Sydney. Available from http://www.seaslugforum.net/find/13124

Dear Alan,
This slug is the sacoglossan Stiliger smaragdinus. It is also known from southern Australia and Japan. How common it is is a bit difficult to determine because it is so well camouflaged, and so usually missed by all but the most indefatigable searchers. Often the only sign of its presence are the white-tipped rhinophores,

Willan & Morton (1984) mention that 'A new Hermaea species has been found in association with Caulerpa sedoides which it matches in both shape and colour' from Leigh, north of Auckland. Their 'Hermaea' is most probably this species. As far as I can find, your photo is the first definite record of this species in New Zealand.

  • Willan, R.C.; Morton, J.E. 1984: Marine Molluscs Part 2: Opisthobranchia. University of Auckland, Leigh Marine Laboratory, Leigh, New Zealand. 1-106.

Best wishes,
Bill Rudman

Rudman, W.B., 2005 (Feb 17). Comment on First record of Stiliger smaragdinus from NZ by Alan Morrison. [Message in] Sea Slug Forum. Australian Museum, Sydney. Available from http://www.seaslugforum.net/find/13124

Factsheet

Stiliger smaragdinus

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