Unidentified chromodorids from French Polynesia

June 10, 2006
From: Erwin Koehler

Dear Bill,
Do you know a name for this Chomodorids from French Polynesia? I think they are 2 different species.

Locality: French Polynesia, Pacific Ocean, unrecorded. Length: unrecorded. Photographer: Meketa Pihatarioe.

Regards
Erwin

Erwin@Philippine-Sea-Slugs.com

Koehler, E., 2006 (Jun 10) Unidentified chromodorids from French Polynesia. [Message in] Sea Slug Forum. Australian Museum, Sydney. Available from http://www.seaslugforum.net/find/16794

Dear Erwin,
French Polynesia is sort of on the eastern fringes of the Indo-West Pacific faunal region and there seem to be some strange things happening, at least amongst the chromodorids. At present I am unwilling to consider each strange colour pattern as representing a new species, because there is evidence to suggest that we have considerable colour variation occurring here amongst more widespread species. Until we know more about the fauna of this region, and what variability occurs, I think it would be premature to start naming new species. For example, these two could well be variants of one species, or they could be distinct. For example, the lower one reminds me of a juvenile Risbecia tryoni. It lacks purple spots and purple markings on the gills and rhinophores, but that could be a genetic abnormality or local variant.

Similarly, the upper one could be Chromodoris vibrata.

Best wishes,
Bill Rudman

Rudman, W.B., 2006 (Jun 10). Comment on Unidentified chromodorids from French Polynesia by Erwin Koehler. [Message in] Sea Slug Forum. Australian Museum, Sydney. Available from http://www.seaslugforum.net/find/16794

Factsheet

Chromodoris spp.

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