Melibe cf. australis
Order: NUDIBRANCHIA
Suborder: DENDRONOTINA
Family: Tethydidae
PHOTO
Harmer's Haven, north-west of Cape Patterson in Victoria, Australia, 5 January 2003. Approx 25mm long. Photo: Leon Altoff.
This species has similarities to Melibe australis, with inflated cerata, while most of the genus have flattened cerata. However the shape of the cerata is quite different from that of typical M. australis and it lacks the papillae found in that species. It also seems to lack the prominent dendritic papillae or gills found on the back of M. australis. I suspect this animal may be another small species of Melibe from southern Australia.
Authorship detailsRudman, W.B., 2003 (February 27) Melibe cf. australis [In] Sea Slug Forum. Australian Museum, Sydney. Available from http://www.seaslugforum.net/find/melicfaust
Related messages
Melibe cf. australis - another photo
March 2, 2003
From: Audrey Falconer
Dear Bill,
Thanks for your comments on our Melibe. We cannot see any sign of the gills you mention in our other photos of this animal. We have only seen this 'species' once before. I have attached a photo of that specimen.
Photo: Point Danger, Torquay [nth side] Victoria, Australia. 14 Dec 2000. 10mm long. Photo: Leon Altoff.
This is the same specimen illustrated on p. 100 of Neville Coleman's 1001 Nudibranchs, [middle of second last row], from Torquay, Dec 2000. That field trip was for the purpose of collecting specimens for that book so he took the specimen home and we did a quick snap of it in the car. I see that it didn't behave very well for Neville either! :+>
Audrey
audrey@bluering.org.au
Falconer, A., 2003 (Mar 2) Melibe cf. australis - another photo. [Message in] Sea Slug Forum. Australian Museum, Sydney. Available from http://www.seaslugforum.net/find/9313Thanks Audrey,
It certainly looks different from 'typical' New South Wales specimens of Melibe australis. It is definitely worth further study.
Best wishes,
Bill Rudman
Re: Non-swimming species of Melibe
March 1, 2003
From: Audrey Falconer
Concerning the discussion about non-swimming species of Melibe, here is a photo of Melibe australis, taken by my husband Leon Altoff. Specimen will be lodged with the Museum of Victoria shortly. Det. R. Burn.
Specimen was collected at Harmer's Haven, north-west of Cape Patterson in Victoria, Australia on 5 January 2003. It was a bit over an inch long.
We did take about 20 photos of this specimen so if you want any more or specific angles I can check if we have them.
Audrey
audrey@bluering.org.au
Thanks Audrey,
You have certainly shamed me into organising some photos of Melibe australis, which I have posted today in a series of messages. My photos match Angas's original description and painting, which was of an animal from Sydney Harbour, very well so I don't think there is much doubt as to the identity of M. australis. However I do have some doubts about the identity of your animal. The animal in your photo seems to have inflated cerata, as does M. australis, while most of the genus have flattened cerata. However the shape of the cerata is quite different from that of typical M. australis and it lacks the papillae found in that species. It also seems to lack the prominent dendritic papillae or gills found on the back of M. australis. I suspect you animal may be another small species of Melibe from southern Australia.
Best wishes,
Bill Rudman
