Chromodoris hunterae

Brian Sellick Hi, Please can anyone help with this one. East Coast of South Africa near Durban, 25mm long. In a rock pool, 20cm of water. Thanks

Brian Sellick I think it could be Chromodoris aspersa.

Deepak Apte Definitely not aspersa. It can be C. naiki or related species

Brian Sellick Thank you.

Lindz Warren Given the shape, colouration and mantle glands I would suggest Goniobranchus tumuliferus (Collingwood, 1881) is a closer 'fit'. Definitely not C. aspersa or C. naiki.

Gary Cobb This is Chromodoris hunterae Rudman, 1983

Brian Sellick #thanks.

Gary Cobb We're all glad to help:)

Brian Sellick Sorry for the short reply, iPad does it's own thing, thank you to everyone for your help. I appreciate it.

Marli Wakeling Isn't G. hunterae an Australian species? G. tumuliferus would fit the locale of South Africa.

Gary Cobb I thought that Marli. G. hunterae has a yellow margin while G. tumulifera has a white margin. I think G. hunterae is Indian as well. I also wonder if it could be a tramp species.

Gary Cobb One more thing. This species is know known as Goniobranchus tumulifera according to TableS2 New Classification of the Chromodorididae with synonyms

Lindz Warren Not sure if the id is still right. Take a look at the Sea Slug Forum for pics of G. tumuliferus: http://www.seaslugforum.net/find/chrotumu

Lindz Warren and for G. hunterae: http://www.seaslugforum.net/find/chrohunt

Lindz Warren Wish I could lay my hands on the Rudman's 1983 paper but Collingwood's 1881 description of G. tumuliferus is as follows: "mantle translucent yellowish white, the upper surface irregularly strewed with large, roundish, well-defined tubercles of a rich carmine colour and tumuliform profile. Round the mantle runs a broadish band of chrome-yellow, defined exteriorly, but somewhat fimbriated interiorly, leaving a narrow edging of the mantle tint all round the outside; upon this edging are two carmine spots on the anterior and two on the posterior angles of the mantle. The tentacles and branchiae are of the same tint as the mantle, the latter delicately formed and difficult of observation."

Lindz Warren I have uploaded a copy of Collingwood's original illustration.

Gary Cobb Yes Lindz I saw that and based on the colouration of the margin and the fact this animal does not have large rounded well defined tubercles of carmine colouration I think this animal matches G. hunterae best. :)

Manfred Keller @ Marli: you can find Goniobranchus hunterae also in South Africa http://www.nudipixel.net/species/chromodoris_hunterae/location/port_elizabeth/

Gary Cobb Thanks Manfred :)