Phyllidiopsis loricata from Reunion Island
November 1, 2005
From: Philibert Bidgrain
Dear Bill,
Reunion Island sea slugs.
This is the first time we have seen this species at Réunion Island, Indian Ocean. It was observed by Florence Trentin, "Maison verte" at Saint Leu, 18 m, 18 September 2005, Length: 15-18 mm Photographer: Florence Trentin
It seems to be a specimen of Phyllidiopsis loricata. But this species is described from the Great Barrier Reef, Timor Sea (northern Australia), Guam, the Marshall Islands, Enewetak Atoll and the type locality, Tahiti.
What's your opinion about this id ? May be a larger distribution in Iindian Ocean?
Best Regards
Philibert Bidgrain
http://vieoceane.free.fr/runseaslug/indexslug.htm
pbidgrain@yahoo.fr
Bidgrain, P., 2005 (Nov 1) Phyllidiopsis loricata from Reunion Island. [Message in] Sea Slug Forum. Australian Museum, Sydney. Available from http://www.seaslugforum.net/find/15132
Dear Philibert,
It certainly seems to be Phyllidiopsis loricata. The colour pattern, the tuberculate and raised median strip, and the fused and quadrangular oral lobes, which can be seen well in the ventral photo all suggest it is this species. It seems that we can add the Indian Ocean to its geographic distribution.
It certainly makes me wonder whether the animal we have from Hawaii [message #11026] is correctly identified. I previously mentioned its broad rounded shape as being rather different, and now your photo showing the flattened tuberculate central band very clearly, suggests that the Hawaiian animal may be a different species
Best wishes,
Bill Rudman
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