Hypselodoris sp. 5 from Key Largo, Florida

March 18, 2009
From: M Katrina Smith

Note added 25 March 2008: This species, which has been called Hypselodoris sp. 5 on the Forum, has now been named Hypselodoris olgae - see message #22347.

Concerning message #6082:

I posted this photo on the ScubaBoard to verify the ID. One of my replies suggested that I post the photo and information here as well. According to the Humann & Deloach book, this has not previously been known in Florida. I photographed it at Snapper's ledge off  Key Largo, Florida. My depth was about 20-25 feet. I have other photos and larger file sizes if you would like additional information.

Locality: Key Largo, 20 to 25 feet, Florida, USA, Atlantic Ocean, 16 March 2009, reef. Length: 1 to 1.5 inches. Photographer: M. Katrina Smith.

M. Katrina Smith

mksmith11@windstream.net

Smith, M. K., 2009 (Mar 18) Hypselodoris sp. 5 from Key Largo, Florida. [Message in] Sea Slug Forum. Australian Museum, Sydney. Available from http://www.seaslugforum.net/find/22345

Dear Katrina,
Thanks for the record. As you will see from the other messages attached to the species Fact Sheet, we have a number of records of this species from Florida. Its identification is still a bit of a problem as we still have insufficient information to know whether several similar looking 'species' are actually true species or just variations of one species.

I was interested in your mention of other photos as we still have much to learn about the basic biology of most of these species. They are sponge feeders but each species only feeds on one or a very few species of sponge, and as yet we don't have good information on what most species eat. I can't see any sign of a sponge in the present photo but perhaps amongst your other photos there will be one with a sponge?

Best wishes,
Bill Rudman

Rudman, W.B., 2009 (Mar 18). Comment on Hypselodoris sp. 5 from Key Largo, Florida by M Katrina Smith. [Message in] Sea Slug Forum. Australian Museum, Sydney. Available from http://www.seaslugforum.net/find/22345

Factsheet

Hypselodoris olgae

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