Chelidonura varians from sthn Queensland

May 4, 2006
From: Ian Banks


Bill,
I didn't find the Variable Chelidonura [Chelidonura varians ] on your site so have sent these photos taken just off the South-West Wall of the Gold Coast Seaway, inside the broadwater. From the southern end of the rock wall along for 100 metres parrallel to the wall I saw these out wandering on the sand, at least 20 all up. I guess it was mating time as I passed 4 couples forming circle patterns. Haven't observed them at any other time.

Locality: South-West Wall, Gold Coast Seaway, 5 metres, South-East QLD Australia, Pacific Ocean, 27 May 2005, Sandy Bottom. Length: 8cm Approx.. Photographer: Ian Banks.

Regards
Ian

ianbanks@bigpond.com

Banks, I.W., 2006 (May 4) Chelidonura varians from sthn Queensland. [Message in] Sea Slug Forum. Australian Museum, Sydney. Available from http://www.seaslugforum.net/find/16517

Dear Ian,
Thanks for the photos. We have a few of this species on the Forum but I always welcome a few more, as you never know what interesting feature the photos may show. For example, sometimes photos can show a peculiar colour variation or a huge geographical range extension.

I guess you couldn't find the species because I don't use common names like 'Variable Chelidonura '. Have a look at my Fact Sheet on common names to see why. In fact I just had a look at the original description of this species and Charles Eliot, who named it, gives no reason for calling it Chelidonura varians and doesn't mention any noticeable variability in the species, In fact it shows very little variability in colour pattern so I have no idea why Eliot thought 'varians' was an appropriate name. I guess you got the name from Neville Coleman's book. I am afraid that just translating the scientific name to English doesn't always make sense. Some people say they prefer common names because they don't know how to pronounce scinetific names. Well in this case you have to pronounce the difficult word 'chelidonura' in the common name so surely 'varians' would be no hurdle. I always recommend using the scientific name - it means anyone anywhere in the world knows what you are talking about
Best wishes,
Bill Rudman

Rudman, W.B., 2006 (May 4). Comment on Chelidonura varians from sthn Queensland by Ian Banks. [Message in] Sea Slug Forum. Australian Museum, Sydney. Available from http://www.seaslugforum.net/find/16517

Factsheet

Chelidonura varians

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