Chromodoris aspersa

Sven Kahlbrock Chromodoris aspersa, wreck of The Barge; Small Gubal Island

Sven Kahlbrock Chromodoris aspersa just found at the Barge Small Gubal, approx 12mm

Sven Kahlbrock Chromodoris aspersa, just found in Small Gubal 2 days ago, at the Barge Wreck under metalparts 13m depth

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 :)

Gary Cobb We had a surgy couple of dives at Flinders Reef Moreton Island yesterday and found 26 species. Here is David Mullins, me and Jo posing at the surface interval in our new H1 Hybrid Waterproof drysuits, very warm aboard Mischief.

Gary Cobb Here the list of species we found: Berthellina citrina Chromodoris aspersa Chromodoris elisabethina Chromodoris lochi Cratena lineata Cratena simba Chromodoris burni Costasiella kuroshimae Doriprismatica atromarginata Elysia sp. 1 Goniobranchus collingwoodi Goniobranchus cf. verrieri Goniodoridella sp. 2 Hypselodoris whitei Plocamopherus imperialis Phyllidiopsis burni Phyllidiella pustulosa Phyllidiella lizae Risbecia godeffroyana Roboastra gracilis Thuridilla livida Thuridilla neona Thuridilla carlsoni Thuridilla gracilis Thuridilla splendens Trinchesia sp. 8

Patrik Good Congrats, good work. The variety of Thuridilla is exciting. With a few of the species I was not sure if they have just changed their names or if I just haven't come across them yet (eg. had to look Dori-S-prismatica atromarginata up).

Gary Cobb Sorry these suits are D1 species not H1!

Gary Cobb Patrik where did you find the spelling with an 's'? I had a re-look at the paper and it is spelled Doriprismatica, -> no 's'. Thanks! Yes we find quite a few Thuridilla at Flinders Reef.

Jim Anderson Your new suits are the business - I've been diving in one for 10 months, even down to 6 deg C. Not a problem your likely to have.

Gary Cobb Patrik the spelling of Doriprismatica is correct according to the paper.

Gary Cobb Hey Jim so you have a Di Hybrid?? Nice work. I love the suit!

Patrik Good Sorry Gary Cobb. Here the link I got it from: http://clade.ansp.org/obis/search.php/3587

Gary Cobb Patrik I think this site is old. It is saying Dorisprismatica is a synonym.

Gary Cobb I have written to Richard to get verification.

Ashley Missen Is there an email version coming out

Gary Cobb See thread above!

Gary Cobb 27 species actually!