Dendrodoris albopurpura
Burn, 1957

Order: NUDIBRANCHIA
Suborder: DORIDINA
Family: Dendrodorididae

DISTRIBUTION

Wide Western Pacific distribution and perhaps Indian Ocean. Found throughout Australia.

PHOTO

Koumac, New Caledonia, October 1993, 90mm long alive. PHOTO: Bill Rudman.

There is considerable confusion in the literature between this species and the species I am tentatively giving the name Dendrodoris elongata, although there are earlier names for both, which I am in the process of clarifying. Both have the ability to extend their body 'leech-like' as described from Dolabrifera dolabrifera, and in having the gills at the extreme posterior end of the body. This species differs from 'D. elongata' in having conical warts all over the dorsum.

Reference:
• Burn, R. (1957) On some opisthobranchia from Victoria. Journal of the Malacological Society of Australia, 1(1): 11-29.

Note added Feb 22, 2000: This page was previously titled Dendrodoris albobrunnea Allan, 1933. See message below explaining name change.

Authorship details
Rudman, W.B., 1999 (April 18) Dendrodoris albopurpura Burn, 1957. [In] Sea Slug Forum. Australian Museum, Sydney. Available from http://www.seaslugforum.net/factsheet/dendalbo

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