Re: Chromodoris geminus? from Sth Africa

November 14, 1999
From: Valda Fraser


Dear Bill
Thanks for your reply. Unfortunately I don't have a really good photo of the animal's foot. I know that there are a few spots, but I don't remember how many. I also know that the spots match the body perfectly. I will send you a decent photo as soon as I can.

I clearly see the link between C. geminus and the nudibranch which I have photographed. However it's the body profile that doesn't compare well. C. geminus looks flat. Only small specimens of our C. geminus? are flat. They soon become plump and rounded. Hopefully the photos illustrate this observation adequately.

Locality: South Coast KwaZulu/Natal - SOUTH AFRICA. Near Port Shepstone, rocky reef, 20 - 25m., October 1999. Size: 30mm and 70mm

Regards
Valda Fraser

iti04937@mweb.co.za

Fraser, V., 1999 (Nov 14) Re: Chromodoris geminus? from Sth Africa. [Message in] Sea Slug Forum. Australian Museum, Sydney. Available from http://www.seaslugforum.net/find/1520

Dear Valda,
Thanks for the extra photos. Yes the spots on the foot are like those on C. geminus but the purple border is clearly different. The shape of adults is a bit more difficult to interpret as in 'typical' C. geminus the mantle edge flaps up and down giving the animal a flat appearance when the mantle edge is held horizontal. Can you remember if your animals flap the mantle like this?

Probably it will only be resolved when the anatomy is studied.

I noticed two amphipod crustaceans on the large animal (see inset). Have you noticed these on other nudibranchs in the area? Perhaps they are commensals?

Best wishes,
Bill Rudman.

Rudman, W.B., 1999 (Nov 14). Comment on Re: Chromodoris geminus? from Sth Africa by Valda Fraser. [Message in] Sea Slug Forum. Australian Museum, Sydney. Available from http://www.seaslugforum.net/find/1520

Factsheet

Chromodoris cf. geminus

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