Hypselodoris fucata from Reunion Island

March 22, 2010
From: Sully Bachel

Concerning message #13773:

Dear Bill
I have found this species on a rock covered by anemones. First, I thought it was Hypselodoris maculosa. but on the computer, there are too much differences with H. maculosa which I am used to see on Reunion Island

May be it is juvenile form of H. fucata

Locality: Le Port, 18 m, Reunion, Indian Ocean, 20 March 2010, on a rock. Length: 15-20 mm. Photographer: Sully BACHEL.

What is your opinion?
Sully

s.bachel@orange.fr

Bachel, S., 2010 (Mar 22) Hypselodoris fucata from Reunion Island. [Message in] Sea Slug Forum. Australian Museum, Sydney. Available from http://www.seaslugforum.net/find/23378

Dear Sully,

We don't know much about this species and its variability but I would agree that it is most probably H. fucata. Chromodorids have glands or sacs in their mantle to store defensive chemicals they extract from their food sponges. In each genus the shape and position of the glands are usually quite characteristic. In species of Hypselodoris the glands are quite small and egg-shaped and most of the glands are concentrated in three places - at the mantle edge, on either side, just behind the rhinophores, and eound the posteror edge of the mantle. I have included close-ups to show these three concentrations. 

Best wishes,
Bill Rudman

Rudman, W.B., 2010 (Mar 22). Comment on Hypselodoris fucata from Reunion Island by Sully Bachel. [Message in] Sea Slug Forum. Australian Museum, Sydney. Available from http://www.seaslugforum.net/find/23378

Factsheet

Hypselodoris fucata

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