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Pleurobranchus weberi
(Bergh, 1905)
Elodie Camprasse Hello Nudibranch Lovers! Could anyone tell me what this creature is? It looked to me like a nudibranch, but if it is, that is the biggest one I have ever seen in my life! (like half a football more or less!). I took this photo on Whale Island, Vietnam this month. I don't have access to good ID books at the moment and I'm dying to know what this was! Could anyone help please?João Pedro Silva Pleurobranchus weberi http://www.seaslugforum.net/find/pleuwebe
Elodie Camprasse Awesome! Thank you so much Joao! I'm so glad I got an answer! This guy was SO impressive!
João Pedro Silva You're welcome, Elodie. It must be quite large. Within that size range we have in the NE Atlantic three species: the sea hare Aplysia fasciata (up to 40cm long and 2kg weight), the nudibranch Tethys fimbria (up to 30cm long but hard to find) and the very common Felimare picta (previously Hypselodoris picta) which has a record 20cm long specimen collected last year for research.
Elodie Camprasse nice! I had never seen anything that big, even in the NE Atlantic, although I had seen learge sea hare, but I'm guessing this one was about 35 cm in diameter!!!
Lucas CerCur I agree with Joao Pedro. Another matter is if this name is or not a junior synonym of Pleurobranchus forskali. Therevision of the genus Pleurobranchus is another challenge waiting for someone....
Elodie Camprasse thanks for the precision! If I had time, I'd love to work more on that!
Lucas CerCur To work more in which sense? Approaching to the review of the genus?
Elodie Camprasse yeah.. I meant on nudibranchs and taxonomy in general!
Lucas CerCur Ah! OK.
Jean-Philippe Imbert Wonderful and very lucky, I have been teaching on whale island for 10 years and I never saw one that big. can you send this pictures and comment to Michel, the owner of the island. Thank you.
Elodie Camprasse yeah, of course Jean-Philippe; I will! actually he is on the island at the moment. I didn't think about mentioning it to him but I will!
Jean-Philippe Imbert And, please, send him an hello from Gérome, Jean-Phi and Julie !!
Jean-Philippe Imbert You work on the island or just having hollidays as i saw that you are friend with jeremy ?
Elodie Camprasse sure, will do! Yeah, I have been working on the island 'til February!
Jean-Philippe Imbert Enjoy it !! that was me to create it at the beginning of the rainbow divers when we were only jéremy and me !! Long time ago !! lol !
Message posted on NUDIBRANCH LOVERS on 30 Mar 2013