Dendrodoris caesia and D. kalkensis

August 8, 2001
From: Terry Gosliner

Dear Bill,
Valda's photos are definitely of Dendrodoris caesia (= D. kalkensis). It, like so many species of Dendrodoris, is highly variable in its coloration. Another factor I used in concluding that Bergh and Barnard's species are synonymous is their distribution. Both were described from False Bay. False Bay has been very well studied and there is only one common species of Dendrodoris from there. The fact that Bergh mentioned the bluish color of the living animal sealed the deal for me.
Terry

tgosline@calacademy.org

Gosliner, T., 2001 (Aug 8) Dendrodoris caesia and D. kalkensis. [Message in] Sea Slug Forum. Australian Museum, Sydney. Available from http://www.seaslugforum.net/find/5025

Dear Terry,
It is still beyond my comprehension why Bergh, and more recent authors, gave names to decolourised and unidentifiable preserved specimens. Since you have already identified this animal with Bergh's name, it is only sensible to accept your synonymy.
Cheers,
Bill Rudman

Rudman, W.B., 2001 (Aug 8). Comment on Dendrodoris caesia and D. kalkensis by Terry Gosliner. [Message in] Sea Slug Forum. Australian Museum, Sydney. Available from http://www.seaslugforum.net/find/5025

Factsheet

Dendrodoris caesia

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