Discodoris stellifera
(Vayssiere, 1904)
Order: NUDIBRANCHIA
Suborder: DORIDINA
Superfamily: EUDORIDOIDEA
Family: Dorididae
DISTRIBUTION
Mediterranean and nearby Atlantic coastline
PHOTO
Locality: Gulf of Trieste, 5 m., Italy, Northern Adriatic, Jan.-Feb-2005. Length: 2 and 4 cm.. Photographer: Tancredi D'Onofrio
According to Cervera et al (1985) Discodoris (= Anisodoris?) stellifera has been confusd with Geitodoris planata in much of the modern literature. Both have star-shaped formations on the back, but can be distinguished by their radular morphology, the outer teeth in Geitodoris planata being smooth and spathulate while in D. stellifera they are finely denticulate. The apecies identified and illustrated by Schmekel & Portmann (1982) as Discodoris planata is almost certatnly D. stellifera.
Note: correct generic position still to be determined
See the following papers for more information.
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Cervera, J.L., Garcia-Gomez, J.C. & Garcia, F.J. (1985) Redescription of Geitodoris planata (Alder & Hancock, 1846) (Gastropoda: Nudibranchia). J. Moll. Stud., 51: 198-204.
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Ortea, J.A. (1990) El genero Geitodoris Bergh, 1891 (Mollusca: Nudibranchia) en las Islas Canarias. Rev. Acad. Canar. Cienc., 2: 99-120.
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Schmekel, L. & Portmann, A (1982) Opisthobranchia des Mittelmeeres, Nudibranchia und Saccoglossa. Fauna e Flora del Golfo Napoli, 40: 1-410. Springer-Verlag: Berlin
Rudman, W.B., 2006 (April 26) Discodoris stellifera (Vayssiere, 1904). [In] Sea Slug Forum. Australian Museum, Sydney. Available from http://www.seaslugforum.net/find/discstel
Related messages
Re: Geitodoris stellifera? from the Adriatic
May 1, 2006
From: Juan Lucas Cervera
Concerning message #16326:
Dear Tancredi and Bill,
From my view, this species is the one that I considered to be Discodoris stellifera in my paper on Geitodoris planata (Cervera et al, 1985). The examination of the radula could confirm this, but I'm pretty sure of my ID.
Another matter is the correct generic allocation of this species. Perrone (1987) redescribed this species from Italian waters and described the existence of caryophyllidia. For this reason, according to Discodoris ' diagnosis given by Angel Valdes (2002) recently, this species should re-allocated this species in a genus of caryophillidia-bearing dorids. What genus? This is another story.
Regards.
Lucas.
lucas.cervera@uca.es
Cervera, J.L., 2006 (May 1) Re: Geitodoris stellifera? from the Adriatic. [Message in] Sea Slug Forum. Australian Museum, Sydney. Available from http://www.seaslugforum.net/find/16467Thanks Lucas,
Sorting out these flattened 'brown' dorids is certainly a challenge throughout the world
Best wishes,
Bill Rudman
Geitodoris stellifera? from the Adriatic
April 21, 2006
From: Tancredi D'Onofrio
Hello,
Could you please confirm if this is Geitodoris stellifera? (= Anisodoris planata Alder & Hancock)
Locality: Gulf of Trieste, 5 m., Italy, Northern Adriatic, Jan.-Feb-2005. Length: 2 and 4 cm.. Photographer: Tancredi D'Onofrio
Thank you and congratulations for your excellent work.
Tancredi
donofrio2t@libero.it
Note addded 30 April 2006: see Lucas Cervera's message [#16467] suggesting this is Discodoris stellifera.
Dear Tancredi,
If you look at Lucas Cervera's message [#7264] it looks like Discodoris stellifera and Geitodoris planata are considered two different species, both with a stellate (star-like) pattern on their mantle. I am not sure how easy it is to distinguish the two species without looking at their anatomy so I think it is best if we ask the advice of a local expert.
Best wishes,
Bill Rudman
