Aphelodoris gigas from Indonesia

December 15, 2006
From: Teresa Zuberbühler


Dear Bill Rudman

I think this might be a species similar to Aphelodoris sp 1 from Australia but with more drab colors and no orange margin.

I have found this nudibranch in several places in Indonesia, mainly in Nusa Tenggara (Komodo, Lombok, Flores) and would like to know which species it is. I have seen it mainly on rubble, where it is difficult to see because of its brown color. I send you 2 photos with different color variations and a photo where the front and the foot of the slug can be seen well, this might help you for the identification.

Locality: Komodo, 15-20, Indonesia, Indopacific,  rubble areas close to coral reef. Length: ca. 8 cm.  Upper photo: 22 July 2004; Middle photo: 29 July 2003; Lower photo:  6. August 2003. Photographer: Teresa (Zubi) Zuberbühler.

Thanks for your help
Teresa (Zubi)
www.starfish.ch

webmaster@starfish.ch

Zuberbühler, T., 2006 (Dec 15) Aphelodoris gigas from Indonesia. [Message in] Sea Slug Forum. Australian Museum, Sydney. Available from http://www.seaslugforum.net/find/19017

Dear Zubi,

This is a nice find. It is indeed the animal which was on the Forum as Aphelodoris sp. 1. That species has since been named Aphelodoris gigas. (I should have noted this on the Aphelodoris sp. 1 Fact Sheet).  As you will see on the A. gigas Fact Sheet, the orange mantle border can be absent. Until now this recently described species has only been known from NW Australia, so it is good to get a record from Indonesia.

Best wishes,
Bill Rudman

Rudman, W.B., 2006 (Dec 15). Comment on Aphelodoris gigas from Indonesia by Teresa Zuberbühler. [Message in] Sea Slug Forum. Australian Museum, Sydney. Available from http://www.seaslugforum.net/find/19017

Factsheet

Aphelodoris gigas

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