Revision of the dorid genus Paradoris

November 10, 2006
From: Bill Rudman

Benoit Dayrat has recently published a major revision of the little-known dorid genus, Paradoris Bergh, 1884. I will try and make the necessary chnages on the Forum in the next few weeks.

Paradoris, has traditionally been considered a genus of the Discodorididae. This is the first comprehensive revision of the genus. One hundred and thirty specimens were examined, including all types and most of the nontype specimens available. New records for Paradoris are provided: South Africa, Tanzania, Seychelles, Western Australia, Thailand, Philippines, shallow waters of New Caledonia, southern Japan, and Hawaii. Prior to this revision, Paradoris included 15 nominal species: 12 valid names and three synonyms. Three additional names, Discodoris erythraeensis, D. lora, and D. cavernae, are re-allocated to Paradoris, based on phylogenetic analysis. A phylogenetic diagnosis is provided for Paradoris: in particular, two new synapomorphies are described. Eight species names are regarded as valid: P. araneosa, P. dubia, P. erythraeensis, P. indecora, P. liturata, P. lopezi, P. mulciber, and P. tsurugensis. However, most of these species are poorly known, i.e. from very few specimens, and their taxonomic status might change when more individuals are available. P. lora is regarded as a nomen dubium. Six new synonymies are proposed and three new 'morphospecies' are described, but not formally named because their taxonomic status is still uncertain for several reasons (e.g. lack of knowledge of individual variation for some critical features).  

• Dayrat, B. (2006) A taxonomic revision of Paradoris sea slugs (Mollusca, Gastropoda, Nudibranchia, Doridina). Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society, 147(2): 125-238.

Bill Rudman

Rudman, W.B., 2006 (Nov 10) Revision of the dorid genus Paradoris. [Message in] Sea Slug Forum. Australian Museum, Sydney. Available from http://www.seaslugforum.net/find/18271

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