Re: Aphelodoris? from sthn New Zealand

February 6, 2008
From: Sharon Grant

Concerning message #7490:

Hi, we were diving this weekend in Whitireia Park, Wellington when we came across a nudibranch that looks very similar to this. Unfortunately I did not have my camera as I was taking open water training.

The shape with feathers and the two horns is almost identical but had two rather large splotches of brown/burgundy colour over the back. It was most definitely what I call, double layered as this picture.

I have never seen a nudibranch in Wellington at all so was very surprised to see this wandering across the sand in only 3.5 metres of water. Temp was 19 degrees. Great surprise for my new open water divers. Do you think that this could be an Aphelodoris?

Locality: Whitireia Park, Wellington, 3.5 metres, NZ, 02 February 2008, Sandy bottom. Length: 6-8cm

Sharon Grant

sharon@godeepscuba.co.nz

Grant, S., 2008 (Feb 6) Re: Aphelodoris? from sthn New Zealand. [Message in] Sea Slug Forum. Australian Museum, Sydney. Available from http://www.seaslugforum.net/find/21357

Dear Sharon,

I am afraid it is difficult to be sure from your description. The 'horns' are the 'head tentacles' or rhinophores and the 'feathers' are their gills, but as both these characters are found in most dorid nudibranchs all I can really say is that you saw a dorid nudibranch. Your animal was possibly a colour form of Aphelodoris luctuosa but I am afraid the only way I can give you a sensible answer is to see a photo.

Best wishes,
Bill Rudman

Rudman, W.B., 2008 (Feb 6). Comment on Re: Aphelodoris? from sthn New Zealand by Sharon Grant. [Message in] Sea Slug Forum. Australian Museum, Sydney. Available from http://www.seaslugforum.net/find/21357

Factsheet

Aphelodoris luctuosa

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