Trapania reticulata
Rudman, 1987
Order: NUDIBRANCHIA
Suborder: DORIDINA
Superfamily: ANADORIDOIDEA
Family: Goniodorididae
DISTRIBUTION
Known only from Great Barrier Reef.
PHOTO
Blue Hole Reef, 21-230, Great Barrier Reef, Queensland, Australia. 18mm long alive. January 1985. Holotype. PHOTO: Ian Loch.
Translucent brown body with a reticulate pattern of brown lines which encircle yellowish spots.
See Stuart Hutchison's photo below.
Reference:
• Rudman, W.B. (1987) The genus Trapania (Nudibranchia: Goniodorididae) in the Indo-West Pacific. Journal of Molluscan Studies, 53: 189-212.
Rudman, W.B., 2000 (May 21) Trapania reticulata Rudman, 1987. [In] Sea Slug Forum. Australian Museum, Sydney. Available from http://www.seaslugforum.net/find/trapreti
Related messages
Trapania reticulata from the Andaman Sea
November 23, 2009
From: Lawrence Neal
Concerning message #2396:
Dear Bill,
I think you may be interested to see these pictures of what I think is Trapania reticulata, from the Andaman Sea. This specimen was found crawling over algae- and sponge-covered rocks, just a few metres from the shore and in about 6 metres depth of water.
Locality: Tablamu, 6 metres, Phangnga, Thailand, Andaman Sea, east Indian Ocean, 14 November 2009, Rocky shoreline. Length: 23 mm. Photographer: Lawrence Neal.
It was crawling very quickly, similar to many types of Gymnodorid, and with its rather impressive sensory organs - large rhinophores and oral tentacles - I thought it might be a predator of sea slugs or other non-sessile organisms. I'm left wondering why this species needs to move so quickly and why so much sensory tackle?
This individual was also much bigger than any other specimen of Trapania I have ever seen (admittedly that's not many) at over 2 cm. It was actually fairly easy to see.
Thanks and all the best,
Lawrence
lorenzo_n@yahoo.com
Neal, L., 2009 (Nov 23) Trapania reticulata from the Andaman Sea. [Message in] Sea Slug Forum. Australian Museum, Sydney. Available from http://www.seaslugforum.net/find/22804
Dear Lawrence,
I am indeed interested in seeing another example of this rarely reported species. Your animal is remarkably big for a species of Trapania. Perhaps it's found something other than small kamptozoa to feed on?
Best wishes,
Bill Rudman
Radular morphology of Trapania reticulata
March 12, 2008
From: Bill Rudman
To complement today's posting of many new species of Trapania here are some SEM photos showing aspects of the morphology of the radula of Trapania reticulata.
SEM photos showing sections of the radular ribbon of the holotype. Blue Hole Reef, 21-230, Great Barrier Reef, Queensland, Australia. 18 mm long alive. January 1985. AM C145083. SEM Photos: G. Avern. Scale = 10 µm.
- Rudman, W.B. (1987) The genus Trapania (Nudibranchia: Goniodorididae) in the Indo-West Pacific. Journal of Molluscan Studies, 53: 189-212.
Best wishes
Bill Rudman
Trapania reticulata from Queensland
May 22, 2000
From: Stuart Hutchison
Dear Bill,
I can't find this one in any books either. I suspect it is a Notodoris of of some kind by the wings protecting the gills. This guy was about 8mm long in 30m next to the wreck of SS Yongala.
SS Yongala is about 40 nautical miles SE of Townsville, Queensland (on an open sandy bottom - inside the Great Barrier Reef).
Stuart Hutchison
hutchco@tpg.com.au
Hutchison, S., 2000 (May 22) Trapania reticulata from Queensland. [Message in] Sea Slug Forum. Australian Museum, Sydney. Available from http://www.seaslugforum.net/find/2396Dear Stuart,
This is a very interesting find, as it is only the second record of this animal from anywhere. Your photo confirms the colour pattern of a brown reticulate pattern and yellow spots.
Have a look at some of the other species of Trapania (use the SEARCH button) to get an idea of their shape and variety.
Best wishes,
Bill Rudman.
