Tiny nudibranch near rhinopore of Mexichromis

July 17, 2007
From: Ken Tucker

While photographing the two larger Mexichromis multituberculata, a tiny nudibranch came into view near one of the rhinopores. Because of its size, about 3 mm, I didn't notice it until I edited this photo. I'm a but confused by some of the reference photos I've seen for Mexichromis, but imagine these are both M. multituberculata. I'd like clarification.

As for the smaller nudibranch, I've not been able to find a match. Can someone id?

Locality: Lembeh Strait, site is Hairball, 12 metres, North Sulawesi, Indonesia, Celebes Sea, 5 Nov 2005, near shoreline. Length: two larger specimens appro 3 cm, smaller approx 3 mm. Photographer: Ken Tucker.

Ken Tucker

ken@kilili.com

Tucker, K.C., 2007 (Jul 17) Tiny nudibranch near rhinopore of Mexichromis. [Message in] Sea Slug Forum. Australian Museum, Sydney. Available from http://www.seaslugforum.net/find/20161

Dear Ken,
Firstly I see you would like clarification on the identification of Mexichromis multituberculata - wouldn't we all! I foolishly thought I had them sorted out many years ago (Rudman, 1973, 1983, 1984) but as more material comes available, colour and shape of the tubercles seems to become less important in this group of species. It is a very instructive lesson in showing that we have much to learn. Many colour picture books / identification guides tend to give the impression we know it all  but that is far from so. All I can say at present is that your animals seem to be part of the colour variability of M. multituberculata - but its possible there is an earlier name available.

You didn't mention the sponge you animals are on. This is a species of  Euryspongia, which seems to be the food choice of this species. From the yellow spots on the dorsum and the red on the gills, I suspect the little juvenile is Hypselodoris infucata. It is normally found feeding on dysideid sponges, so it wouldn't be out of place on Euryspongia.

  • Rudman, W.B. (1973) Chromodorid opisthobranch Mollusca from the Indo-West Pacific. Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society, 52(3): 175-199, 7 figs, 2 col. pl.
  •  Rudman, W.B. (1983) The Chromodorididae (Opisthobranchia: Mollusca) of the Indo-West Pacific: Chromodoris splendida, C. aspersa and Hypselodoris placida colour groups. Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society, 78: 105-173.
  • Rudman, W.B. (1984) The Chromodorididae (Opisthobranchia: Mollusca) of the Indo-West Pacific: a review of the genera. Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society, 81: 115-273.

Best wishes,
Bill Rudman

Rudman, W.B., 2007 (Jul 17). Comment on Tiny nudibranch near rhinopore of Mexichromis by Ken Tucker. [Message in] Sea Slug Forum. Australian Museum, Sydney. Available from http://www.seaslugforum.net/find/20161

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