Re: 'Liloa curta' from Samoa

September 9, 2000
From: C. Carlson & P.J. Hoff


Don's Samoan haminoeid is what we are calling Diniatys dentifera (A.Adams, 1850). This is by far the most common haminoeid form in our collection. It is represented by records of over 800 specimens from Guam and the rest
of the Micronesian area--as well as others from the Philippines, Indonesia and PNG. The major host is the blue-green algae, Lyngbya majuscula (in earlier notes we used Microcoleus lyngbyaceus). It has also been found on Schizothrix and Hormothamnion.

The genus Diniatys Iredale, 1936 [as a replacement for Dinia H & A Adams,
1854] is based upon shell alone. It's most distinguishing characteristic being a 'tooth-like' projection on the columella. The D. dentifera we have found are generally various shades of brown with a darker amorphous brown band on the midline of the head. Some have been found that are somewhat green in color and others without the band on the head. Adult forms found in Bali and Tinian have been smaller than those from Guam. Those from Guam smaller than Palauan specimens. All of those checked have had almost the same shell shape, radula, gizzard plates, jaw elements and gross morphology of the male genital system.

UPPER PHOTO: 5mm long; Tulamben, Bali, Indonesia, 2m; 21 May 1999 (bh06a). LOWER: A, Shell of Syntype, Bulla dentifera A.Adams, 1850; 5.1 x 3.4mm, BMNH #199406. Lord Hood's Island (Marutea Atoll, Tuamotu Archipelago) Type Locality. B, Shell 3.5 x 2mm, from 5mm specimen. Guam, Bile Bay reef flat (c30_2) 30 December 1987. Photos: C.H. Carlson & P.J. Hoff.

Clay & Patty Jo

clay.carlson@kuentos.guam.net

Carlson, C.H. & Hoff, P.J., 2000 (Sep 9) Re: 'Liloa curta' from Samoa. [Message in] Sea Slug Forum. Australian Museum, Sydney. Available from http://www.seaslugforum.net/find/2997

Dear Clay & Patty Jo,
Your reply certainly reinforces the pont I made in my repy to Don about the taxonomy of the shells being divorced from the animals in these 'bubble shells'. Diniatys dentifera is well-known to me from tropical Australia - as a shell, but I certainly didn't recognise it as an animal.
Best wishes,
Bill Rudman.

Rudman, W.B., 2000 (Sep 9). Comment on Re: 'Liloa curta' from Samoa by C. Carlson & P.J. Hoff. [Message in] Sea Slug Forum. Australian Museum, Sydney. Available from http://www.seaslugforum.net/find/2997

Factsheet

Diniatys dentifer

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