Pleurobranchus weberi from the Philippines

April 15, 2003
From: Erwin Koehler

Dear Bill,
Here is a picture of what I think is Pleurobranchus weberi. [At Mike Miller's site
http://slugsite.us/bow/nudwk132.htm a similar looking one is identified as this].

My photo is from the Philippines, Malapascua Is., divesite "Japanese Cargo Wreck".
Size: 18-20cm (!)
Depth: 25m
Date: 23 Feb. 2003

Erwin

Erwin@medslugs.de

Koehler, E., 2003 (Apr 15) Pleurobranchus weberi from the Philippines. [Message in] Sea Slug Forum. Australian Museum, Sydney. Available from http://www.seaslugforum.net/find/9569

Thanks Erwin,
This is a very interesting find. Apart from the record you mention on Mike Miller's site [from Mindinao, Philippines], I don't know of a published record of this since its original description from Saleyer Is., S of Celebes, Indonesia (Bergh, 1905). The colour plate [Plate 2, fig 1 - as Oscanius weberi] clearly shows the conspicuous double white rings on the mantle. I have looked at the plate a few times, wondering if it is a colour form of Pleurobranchus forskalii, but in the dark purple form of that species if white rings are present, they are single half circles which line the outer edge of each of the mantle tubercles. In P. weberi, the mantle tuberles are much smaller, and the white circles are independent of the tubercles. Like P. forskalii this species apparently grows to quite a large size.
Best wishes,
Bill Rudman

Rudman, W.B., 2003 (Apr 15). Comment on Pleurobranchus weberi from the Philippines by Erwin Koehler. [Message in] Sea Slug Forum. Australian Museum, Sydney. Available from http://www.seaslugforum.net/find/9569

Factsheet

Pleurobranchus weberi

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