Flabellina exoptata
Gosliner & Willan, 1991

Order: NUDIBRANCHIA
Suborder: AEOLIDINA
Family: Flabellinidae

DISTRIBUTION

This species has recently been described from many localities in the Indian Ocean and the western Pacific.

PHOTO

Koumac, New Caledonia, October 1993, 48mm long alive. Lower photo showing papillate rhinophores characteristic of this species. PHOTOS: Bill Rudman.

Flabellina exoptata is characterised by the brilliant colour pattern and the bright orange papillate rhinophores.

Reference:
• Gosliner,T.M. & Willan,R.C. (1991) Review of the Flabellinidae (Nudibranchia: Aeolidacea) from the tropical Indo-Pacific, with the descriptions of five new species. The Veliger, 34(2): 97-133.

Authorship details
Rudman, W.B., 1999 (February 15) Flabellina exoptata Gosliner & Willan, 1991. [In] Sea Slug Forum. Australian Museum, Sydney. Available from http://www.seaslugforum.net/find/flabexop

Related messages


Re: Flabellina exoptata from sthn Queensland, Australia

October 2, 2008
From: Bruce Wilkie

Concerning message #21923:

Hi Bill,
just thought I would send you a photo from my part of the world.

Locality: Manta Bommie, Point Lookout, North Stradbroke Island, 10mts, Queensland, Australia , Pacific ocean., 10 October 2005, Rocky reef, hard and soft corals, sponges .. Photographer: Bruce Wilkie.

Cheers,
Bruce Wilkie.

brucedwilkie@yahoo.com.au

Wilkie, B, 2008 (Oct 2) Re: Flabellina exoptata from sthn Queensland, Australia. [Message in] Sea Slug Forum. Australian Museum, Sydney. Available from http://www.seaslugforum.net/find/21926

Thanks Bruce,
Queensland is now becoming well represented!
Best wishes,
Bill Rudman

Rudman, W.B., 2008 (Oct 2). Comment on Re: Flabellina exoptata from sthn Queensland, Australia by Bruce Wilkie. [Message in] Sea Slug Forum. Australian Museum, Sydney. Available from http://www.seaslugforum.net/find/21926

Flabellina exoptata from Vanuatu

October 2, 2008
From: Leanne & David Atkinson


Concerning message #21923:

Dear Bill,
With the recent discussion of Flabellina exoptata we noticed you didn't have any examples of this animal from Vanuatu. Here are some images of Flabellina exoptata from our recent trip to Vanuatu to add to your distribution information. These photos were taken on the wreck of the Bonzer and the bright colour in front of this nudibranch is deck paint showing through the growth. Thankyou for your work on the forum, hope these are of interest.

Locality: The Bonzer, Mele Reef, Hideaway Island, 20 metres, Vanuatu, Pacific, 20 April 2008, Shipwreck beside coral reef with some growth on the wreck. Length: 30 mm approximately. Photographer: Leanne & David Atkinson.

Best wishes,
Leanne & David Atkinson

atk@hunterlink.net.au

Atkinson, L. & D., 2008 (Oct 2) Flabellina exoptata from Vanuatu. [Message in] Sea Slug Forum. Australian Museum, Sydney. Available from http://www.seaslugforum.net/find/21927

Thanks Leanne & David,

I have included a close-up to show the rather characteristic arrangement of papillae on the rhinophores.

Best wishes,
Bill Rudman

Rudman, W.B., 2008 (Oct 2). Comment on Flabellina exoptata from Vanuatu by Leanne & David Atkinson. [Message in] Sea Slug Forum. Australian Museum, Sydney. Available from http://www.seaslugforum.net/find/21927

Re: Flabellina exoptata from sthn Queensland, Australia

October 1, 2008
From: Julie Marshall

Concerning message #21908:

Dear Bill,

I was surprised to read Gary's message today that there were, until his message, no Australian pictures of Flabellina exoptata on the Forum. Attached is a picture from Heron Island where it is a moderately common species.

Locality: Heron Island, 18 m, Queensland, Australia, Pacific Ocean, December 1995. Length: 35 mm. Photographer: Julie Marshall.

Best wishes,
Julie Marshall

juliegm@gmail.com

Marshall, J.G., 2008 (Oct 1) Re: Flabellina exoptata from sthn Queensland, Australia. [Message in] Sea Slug Forum. Australian Museum, Sydney. Available from http://www.seaslugforum.net/find/21923

Dear Julie,

I was surprised too, but my photos of Australian animals are not that good, so yours and Gary's are very welcome

Best wishes,
Bill Rudman

Rudman, W.B., 2008 (Oct 1). Comment on Re: Flabellina exoptata from sthn Queensland, Australia by Julie Marshall. [Message in] Sea Slug Forum. Australian Museum, Sydney. Available from http://www.seaslugforum.net/find/21923

Flabellina exoptata from sthn Queensland Australia

September 30, 2008
From: Gary Cobb


Hi Bill and everyone!

After diving today at Old Woman Island I thought I might share another new species we have found here. I see you don't have any entries for Flabellina exoptata from Australia, so here tiz.

Locality: Old Woman Island, Mooloolaba, Sunshine Coast, 14 m, Queensland, Australia, Pacific Ocean, 20 September 2008, Subtidal. Length: 25 mm. Photographer: Gary Cobb.

Cheers
Gary Cobb

gary@nudibranch.com.au

Cobb, G.C., 2008 (Sep 30) Flabellina exoptata from sthn Queensland Australia. [Message in] Sea Slug Forum. Australian Museum, Sydney. Available from http://www.seaslugforum.net/find/21908

Thanks Gary,

Good to get an Australian example added to the Forum. It is a well-known Australian resident in tropical waters and extends down both the east and west coasts into warm temperate regions.

Best wishes,
Bill Rudman

Rudman, W.B., 2008 (Sep 30). Comment on Flabellina exoptata from sthn Queensland Australia by Gary Cobb. [Message in] Sea Slug Forum. Australian Museum, Sydney. Available from http://www.seaslugforum.net/find/21908

Flabellina exoptata - eggs-laying?

August 7, 2008
From: Barbara Hanchard

Dear Bill,

I thought this contribution may be of interest to the Forum. This Flabellina exoptata may be in the process of, or just finished laying egg ribbons.

Locality: Russell Islands, 8 meters, Solomon Islands, Pacific Ocean, 26 July 2008, Reef wall. Length: 20 mm. Photographer: N. Barbara Hanchard.

Regards,
Barbara Hanchard

barbara.hanchard@ffa.int

Hanchard, N.B., 2008 (Aug 7) Flabellina exoptata - eggs-laying?. [Message in] Sea Slug Forum. Australian Museum, Sydney. Available from http://www.seaslugforum.net/find/21765

Thanks Barbara,

There are certainly two aeolid egg ribbons present, and I wouldn't be surprised if they belong to the Flabellina. I have enlarged part of your photo alongside as it also shows the rhinophores rather well.

Best wishes,
Bill Rudman

Rudman, W.B., 2008 (Aug 7). Comment on Flabellina exoptata - eggs-laying? by Barbara Hanchard. [Message in] Sea Slug Forum. Australian Museum, Sydney. Available from http://www.seaslugforum.net/find/21765

Flabellina exoptata - Abnormality

August 17, 2007
From: Kerem Turker

Hi Bill,
This little guy was on a hydroid branch feeding while I took the picture. After detail analysis of the picture I have realized that the rhinophores are not on their usual shape, like intermingled to form a single unit. Hope this will be useful for the Abnormalities page.

Locality: Misool Island - Raja Ampat, 6 m, Indonesia, SW Pacific Ocean, 21 March 2007, Shallow Reef . Length: Less than 1 cm. Photographer: Kerem Turker.

Regards,
Kerem

kerem.turker@pmintl.com

Turker, K., 2007 (Aug 17) Flabellina exoptata - Abnormality. [Message in] Sea Slug Forum. Australian Museum, Sydney. Available from http://www.seaslugforum.net/find/20192

Thanks Kerem,
Bill Rudman

Rudman, W.B., 2007 (Aug 17). Comment on Flabellina exoptata - Abnormality by Kerem Turker. [Message in] Sea Slug Forum. Australian Museum, Sydney. Available from http://www.seaslugforum.net/find/20192

Flabellina exoptata from North Sulawesi

March 30, 2007
From: Sebastian Ferse

Hi Bill,
here is another Flabellina exoptata from Lembeh Strait. This one was observed on a hydroid branch during a shallow night dive and has somewhat longer appendices than the one observed by Marli in 2002.

Locality: Pulau Sarena Kecil, Lembeh Strait, 5m, North Sulawesi, Indonesia, Pacific Ocean, 17 March 2007, Shallow patch reef with strong tidal currents. Length: 25mm. Photographer: Sebastian Ferse.

Sebastian Ferse

sebastian.ferse@zmt-bremen.de

Ferse, S.C.A., 2007 (Mar 30) Flabellina exoptata from North Sulawesi. [Message in] Sea Slug Forum. Australian Museum, Sydney. Available from http://www.seaslugforum.net/find/19726

Thanks Sebastian,
Your photo shows the  rhinophores very well

Best wishes,
Bill Rudman

Rudman, W.B., 2007 (Mar 30). Comment on Flabellina exoptata from North Sulawesi by Sebastian Ferse. [Message in] Sea Slug Forum. Australian Museum, Sydney. Available from http://www.seaslugforum.net/find/19726

Flabellina exoptata from South Africa

August 15, 2006
From: Colin Ogden

Hi Bill,
I have been puzzled by this beautiful little creature for a number of months, and I can't find it on the forum. The closest I can come is Flabellina marcurosum, but he is not supposed to be in our ocean. Please can you help me? The photo was taken by one of my staff members Nicola Orban.
regards

Locality: Sodwana Bay, 18 metres, South Africa, Indian, February 2006, reef. Length: 10mm. Photographer: Nicola Orban.

Colin Ogden

scubaco@iafrica.com

Ogden C. M., 2006 (Aug 15) Flabellina exoptata from South Africa. [Message in] Sea Slug Forum. Australian Museum, Sydney. Available from http://www.seaslugforum.net/find/17408

Dear Colin,
There are not too many records of this species from the western Indian Ocean. It is Flabellina exoptata, which is quite common in the western Pacific and the Malay-Indonesian Archipelago.

Best wishes,
Bill Rudman

Rudman, W.B., 2006 (Aug 15). Comment on Flabellina exoptata from South Africa by Colin Ogden. [Message in] Sea Slug Forum. Australian Museum, Sydney. Available from http://www.seaslugforum.net/find/17408

Juvenile Flabellina exoptata from Banda Sea

December 3, 2005
From: Linda Ianniello

Dr. Bill,

here is an adorable juvenile Flabellina exoptata. The rhinophores look too big for him to hold up!

Locality: Hoga Island, North Wall dive site, Indonesia, Banda Sea. 5 November 2005. Coral wall. Photographer: Linda Ianniello

Regards,
Linda I.

lindai1@bellsouth.net

Ianniello, L., 2005 (Dec 3) Juvenile Flabellina exoptata from Banda Sea. [Message in] Sea Slug Forum. Australian Museum, Sydney. Available from http://www.seaslugforum.net/find/15359

Thanks Linda,
Out-sized rhinophores are a good indicator of juveniles, I guess it's just as important for juveniles to smell (and find) their food as it is for adults, so I guess in this case, bigger is better.
Best wishes,
Bill Rudman

Rudman, W.B., 2005 (Dec 3). Comment on Juvenile Flabellina exoptata from Banda Sea by Linda Ianniello. [Message in] Sea Slug Forum. Australian Museum, Sydney. Available from http://www.seaslugforum.net/find/15359

Flabellina exoptata from West Malaysia

May 28, 2005
From: Ho Wei Kwok Alvin

Here's a shot of Flabellina exoptata. Taken at Dayang Jetty, Pulau Dayang.

Locality: Dayang Jetty, Pulau Dayang, West Malaysia. South China Sea.
Depth: 5 m. Length: 20 mm. 2 May 2005. Sand Bottom, rubble. Photographer: Alvin Ho

Regards,
Alvin

howeikwok@hotmail.com

Ho, W.K.A., 2005 (May 28) Flabellina exoptata from West Malaysia. [Message in] Sea Slug Forum. Australian Museum, Sydney. Available from http://www.seaslugforum.net/find/13763

Thanks Alvin,
Best wishes,
Bill Rudman

Rudman, W.B., 2005 (May 28). Comment on Flabellina exoptata from West Malaysia by Ho Wei Kwok Alvin. [Message in] Sea Slug Forum. Australian Museum, Sydney. Available from http://www.seaslugforum.net/find/13763

Flabellina exoptata from Reunion Island

March 9, 2005
From: Philibert Bidgrain

Dear Bill,
Reunion Island sea slugs.

Flabellina exoptata is relatively common in Reunion Island. This one was found by Florence Trentin in an anfractuosity of the reef.

Locality:  "Les brisants" at Etang salé les bains, Reunion Island, Indian ocean.
Depth: 4 m. Length: 18 mm. 30 January 2005. Photographer: Florence Trentin.

According to Nicole Gravier-Bonnet (Hydroids specialist from Reunion Island University), the hydroids seems to be an Eudendrium sp

Best Regards
Philibert Bidgrain
http://vieoceane.free.fr/runseaslug/indexslug.htm

pbidgrain@yahoo.fr

Bidgrain, P., 2005 (Mar 9) Flabellina exoptata from Reunion Island. [Message in] Sea Slug Forum. Australian Museum, Sydney. Available from http://www.seaslugforum.net/find/13285

Thanks Philibert,
Best wishes,
Bill Rudman

Flabellina exoptata from Sth Korea

December 12, 2003
From: Dong Bum Koh

Dear Bill,
Here is a photo of Flabellina exoptata for your Forum.

Moon islet in Jeju island
Depth : 15m, 6 December 2003
W/T: 20 degrees C
Photo: Dong Bum Koh

Best regards,
Dong Bum Koh

drkoh@seasee.co.kr

Koh, D.B., 2003 (Dec 12) Flabellina exoptata from Sth Korea. [Message in] Sea Slug Forum. Australian Museum, Sydney. Available from http://www.seaslugforum.net/find/11644

Thanks Dong Bum
Bill Rudman

Flabellina exoptata from North Sulawesi

October 9, 2002
From: Marli Wakeling

Hi Bill,
Here is Flabellina exoptata from Lembeh Straight. This site was more of a coral dive than muck site, with lots of hydroids and tunicates.
Location: Serena West, Lembeh Straight, Sulawesi, Indonesia.

Date: July 2002
Depth: 60 feet
Length:10mm
Photographs: Marli Wakeling

Regards,
Marli

scubamarli@excite.com

Wakeling, M., 2002 (Oct 9) Flabellina exoptata from North Sulawesi. [Message in] Sea Slug Forum. Australian Museum, Sydney. Available from http://www.seaslugforum.net/find/8123

Thanks Marli,
Bill Rudman

Egg mass of Flabellina exoptata

July 30, 2002
From: Nishina Masayoshi


Dear Bill,
Here photos of Flabellina exoptata and its egg mass.

Date: 7 July,2002
Loc: Hachijo Is, Tokyo Japan
Length of F. exoptata: 10mm
egg mass is about 3-4mm long.
Depth: 13m
water temp: 25C degree

Best Regards,
Nishina Masayoshi

nishina@wips.co.jp

Masayoshi, N., 2002 (Jul 30) Egg mass of Flabellina exoptata. [Message in] Sea Slug Forum. Australian Museum, Sydney. Available from http://www.seaslugforum.net/find/7587

Thanks Nishina,
Bill Rudman

Flabellina exoptata from Malaysia

June 17, 2002
From: Kheong Sann Chan

Here is another photo from Pulau Dayang off the east coast of west Malaysia.

Location: Dayang, Pinnacles
Date : 8 June, 2002, 0800hrs
Depth : 15m

Kheong Sann Chan

kschan@mail.dsi.nus.edu.sg

Chan, K.S., 2002 (Jun 17) Flabellina exoptata from Malaysia. [Message in] Sea Slug Forum. Australian Museum, Sydney. Available from http://www.seaslugforum.net/find/7241

Dear Kheong,
This is Flabellina exoptata.
Best wishes,
Bill Rudman

Rudman, W.B., 2002 (Jun 17). Comment on Flabellina exoptata from Malaysia by Kheong Sann Chan. [Message in] Sea Slug Forum. Australian Museum, Sydney. Available from http://www.seaslugforum.net/find/7241

Flabellina exoptata from Christmas Island

May 6, 2002
From: W.B. Rudman


Here is some information and photos on Flabellina exoptata from John Hicks' Christmas Island, Indian Ocean collections. Both specimens were about 20 mm long.

PHOTOS:
AM C129119, 26 April 1981, north arm Cantilever, 6-10 m, under overhang, Christmas Is., Indian Ocean. Photo: John Hicks

Best wishes,
Bill Rudman

Rudman, W.B. , 2002 (May 6) Flabellina exoptata from Christmas Island. [Message in] Sea Slug Forum. Australian Museum, Sydney. Available from http://www.seaslugforum.net/find/6600

Flabellina exoptata from Christmas Island

April 29, 2002
From: W.B. Rudman

Here is some information and photos on Flabellina exoptata from John Hicks' Christmas Island, Indian Ocean collections.

PHOTO:
AM C127589, 19 March 1981, off theatre underhang of coral rock where small white hydroids are common, 10 m, Christmas Is., Indian Ocean. Photo: John Hicks

Best wishes,
Bill Rudman

Rudman, W.B. , 2002 (Apr 29) Flabellina exoptata from Christmas Island. [Message in] Sea Slug Forum. Australian Museum, Sydney. Available from http://www.seaslugforum.net/find/6594

Flabellina from Indonesia

March 22, 2000
From: Erwin Koehler

Hi Bill,
again a photo by H.-H. Harms - this one is from Indonesia, Bali Is., "Alam Anda Housereef", March 1997, depth 3 m, size 15 mm. It looks like Flabellina exoptata, but I can't see orange rhinopores.
Erwin

Medslugs.Koehler@t-online.de

Koehler, E., 2000 (Mar 22) Flabellina from Indonesia. [Message in] Sea Slug Forum. Australian Museum, Sydney. Available from http://www.seaslugforum.net/find/2007

Dear Erwin,
I think you are right. I can't see rhinophores of any colour. They are either missing or somehow obscured in the photo.
Best wishes,
Bill Rudman.

Rudman, W.B., 2000 (Mar 22). Comment on Flabellina from Indonesia by Erwin Koehler. [Message in] Sea Slug Forum. Australian Museum, Sydney. Available from http://www.seaslugforum.net/find/2007

Flabellina exoptata from Papua New Guinea

July 15, 1999
From: Grey McNeil

Dear Bill,
Could you identify this photo please. The details are:
RESCHS REEF, MADANG, Papua New Guinea, 5m, December 1998, 1cm long.

Thanks,

Grey McNeil.

GREYMACIND@bigpond.com

McNeil, G., 1999 (Jul 15) Flabellina exoptata from Papua New Guinea. [Message in] Sea Slug Forum. Australian Museum, Sydney. Available from http://www.seaslugforum.net/find/997

Dear Grey,
This is another species of Flabellina, in this case Flabellina exoptata.

Bill Rudman.

Rudman, W.B., 1999 (Jul 15). Comment on Flabellina exoptata from Papua New Guinea by Grey McNeil. [Message in] Sea Slug Forum. Australian Museum, Sydney. Available from http://www.seaslugforum.net/find/997

Flabellina exoptata or expotata ?

February 17, 1999
From: Erwin Koehler

Dear Bill,
at Mike's site is a photo of Fl. expotata, at Jeff's Nudibranch site are 2 photos of Fl. expotata, at your sea slug forum is Fl. exoptata. What is the correct spelling: exoptata or expotata?
Erwin

E.Koehler@deutschepost.de

Koehler, E., 1999 (Feb 17) Flabellina exoptata or expotata ?. [Message in] Sea Slug Forum. Australian Museum, Sydney. Available from http://www.seaslugforum.net/find/575

Erwin,
It looks like someone else's fingers got tangled when typing the name. It's exoptata.
Bill

Flabellina exoptata from Philippines

February 15, 1999
From: Erwin Koehler

Bill,
Here is a photo of Flabellina exoptata (Gosliner & Willan, 1991), that I saw at BBC, Panglao Is., Philippines, November, 1998
Erwin

E.Koehler@deutschepost.de

Koehler, E., 1999 (Feb 15) Flabellina exoptata from Philippines. [Message in] Sea Slug Forum. Australian Museum, Sydney. Available from http://www.seaslugforum.net/find/565