Aplysiopsis? from North Sulawesi

August 13, 2008
From: Marli Wakeling

Hi Bill,

Here is a miniscule opistobranch from Lembeh Straight. Its near fluorescent colour is what made it stand out. I first at thought it was a Eubranchus, but now I am wondering if it could be an Aplysiopsis, as it seems to be on algae. The shape and relative length of the cerata are a puzzle, though.

Locality: Lembeh Straight, 30 feet, Sulawesi, Indonesia, Indo-Pacific, 29 July 2008, sand bottom. Length: 4mm. Photographer: Marli Wakeling.

Cheers,
Marli Wakeling

scubamarli@gmail.com

Wakeling, M., 2008 (Aug 13) Aplysiopsis? from North Sulawesi. [Message in] Sea Slug Forum. Australian Museum, Sydney. Available from http://www.seaslugforum.net/find/21790

Dear Marli,

I am pretty sure this is the colourful sacoglossan I am calling Aplysiopsis sp. 1. The animal in your earlier message is almost certainly the same species [#8128]. As I discuss in earlier messages on this species, we can't really be sure if this is a species of Hermaea or Aplysiopsis without some anatomical information, especially the shape of the radular teeth. Your photo of it on a filamentous red algae however, tips the balance in favour of Hermaea, as I am pretty sure that genus feeds exclusively on such red algae while species of Aplysiopsis don't. Hopefully Kathe Jensen can confirm that for us.

Best wishes,
Bill Rudman

Rudman, W.B., 2008 (Aug 13). Comment on Aplysiopsis? from North Sulawesi by Marli Wakeling. [Message in] Sea Slug Forum. Australian Museum, Sydney. Available from http://www.seaslugforum.net/find/21790

Factsheet

Aplysiopsis sp. 1

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