Re: Dendrodoris sp. from Northern Marianas Ids

Dear Ali,

I am pretty sure the whitish 'marks' are compound papillae which puzzles me. I have looked carefully at the photo from the top of the Fact Sheet and included a close-up alongside of the large star-shaped patches you describe. They are slightly raised, so it is perhaps possible that they are retractile compound papillae, but I find it strange I have never noticed them out before as I often have animals in aquaria for some time after collection. I would love a few photos of this from the Eastern Pacific if you have any.

Concerning what to call it. I wouldn't advise using the name  Dendrodoris albobrunnea Allan, 1933 because I am not sure if it is identifiable. Certainly there is nothing characteristic in Allan's published description. Joyce Allan worked at the Australian Museum and I have checked out her collections but there is no sign of the holotype of this species or any notes or drawings. It is possibly te same as Baba's  Dendrodoris elongata, but who knows? I think the only sensible thing to do is consider Allan's name to be unidentifiable and use the first identifiable name, which is Baba's.

Best wishes,
Bill Rudman