Juvenile Hexabranchus sanguineus from Reunion Island

May 8, 2009
From: Sully Bachel

Concerning message #14907:

Hello Bill

I have some problems with the identification of this nudibranch. I'm quite sure that is not a Hypselodoris maculosa.

Perhaps it is Thorunna australis: one longitudinal white line on the mantle, a reddish band on the rhinophores

Locality: Cap La Houssaye St Paul, 10 m, Reunion Island, Indian Ocean, 23 August 2008. Length: 15 mm. Photographer: Sully Bachel.

What is your opinion
Sully Bachel

s.bachel@orange.fr

Bachel, S., 2009 (May 8) Juvenile Hexabranchus sanguineus from Reunion Island. [Message in] Sea Slug Forum. Australian Museum, Sydney. Available from http://www.seaslugforum.net/find/22431

Dear Sully,

This colourful little animal immediately makes you think that you have found a nice chromodorid, but it is in fact a juvenile Hexabranchus sanguineus. There is no easy way to distinguish it externally as a Hexabranchus at this small size because the characteristic oral lobes and separate gills are not clear at this early stage of its growth. When I was reviewing chromodorids with this colour pattern I thought I had a new species until I had a look at its anatomy and realised my mistake.

Best wishes,
Bill Rudman

Rudman, W.B., 2009 (May 8). Comment on Juvenile Hexabranchus sanguineus from Reunion Island by Sully Bachel. [Message in] Sea Slug Forum. Australian Museum, Sydney. Available from http://www.seaslugforum.net/find/22431

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