Chromodoris albopustulosa
(Pease, 1860)

Order: NUDIBRANCHIA
Suborder: DORIDINA
Superfamily: EUDORIDOIDEA
Family: Chromodorididae

DISTRIBUTION

This species is known only from Hawaii and the Marshall Ids, but Scott Johnson's messages on the Forum [see #13260] suggest it may be synonymous with C. aureopurpurea, C. alius, and C. rufomaculata, which would give it a wide Indo-West Pacific distribution.

PHOTO

Oahu Island, Hawaii, USA, Pacific. Depth: 2-10 m. Length: 25 mm (o01), 15mm (o08). 1978. Exposed on reef wall. Photographer: Scott Johnson

This is one of a number of white-spotted chromodorids described from Hawaii [see message #13259]. Agreeing in most aspects with the original description [see message #13264], this species has been accepted by recent workers as most likely to represent Pease's Doris albopustulosa.

The mantle is pale yellow with slightly raised opaque white pustules, and the mantle is bordered with either a continuous purple band or broken into a series of purple markings. Scattered on the yellow background colour, between the white pustules, are diffuse, darker yellow spots. The rhinophores stalks are transparent and the clubs are purplish brown with opaque white edging. The gills are arranged in a goblet-shaped cluster and are usually translucent with opaque white edging. The underside is all white.

This species is known only from Hawaii and the Marshall Ids, but Scott Johnson's messages on the Forum [see #13260] suggest it may be synonymous with C. aureopurpurea, C. alius, and C. rufomaculata, which would give it a wide Indo-West Pacific distribution.

  • Bergh, L.S.R. (1881)  Malacologische Untersuchungen. In: C.G. Semper, Reisen im Archipel der Philippinen, Wissenschaftliche Resultate. Band 2, Supplement 2., 79-128, Pls.G, H, J-L.
  • Kay, E. A., & Young, D.K. (1969) The Doridacea (Opisthobranchia; Mollusca) of the Hawaiian Islands. Pacific Science, 23(2):172-231.
  • Pease, W.H. (1860) Descriptions of new species of mollusca from the Sandwich Islands. Proceedings of the Zoological Society of London 28: 18-36.
Authorship details
Rudman, W.B., 2005 (March 7) Chromodoris albopustulosa (Pease, 1860). [In] Sea Slug Forum. Australian Museum, Sydney. Available from http://www.seaslugforum.net/factsheet/chroalbopus

Related messages

  1. Chromodoris albopustulosa from Maui
    From: Philip A. Thomas, October 5, 2007
  2. Chromodoris albopustulosa from Kure Atoll
    From: Scott Johnson, March 7, 2005
  3. Chromodoris alius? from Kwajalein, Marshall Islands
    From: Scott Johnson, March 7, 2005
  4. Chromodoris alius? from Enewetak, Marshall Islands
    From: Scott Johnson, March 7, 2005
  5. Chromodoris albopustulosa from Hawaii
    From: Scott Johnson, March 7, 2005
  6. More Chromodoris albopustulosa from Hawaii
    From: Scott Johnson, March 7, 2005
  7. Chromodoris albopustulosa from the Marshall Islands
    From: Scott Johnson, March 7, 2005
  8. Original illustration of Goniobranchus albomaculatus Pease 1866
    From: Bill Rudman, March 7, 2005
  9. Original illustrations of some Hawaiian chromodorids
    From: Bill Rudman, March 7, 2005
  10. White and yellow-spotted Hawaiian chromodorids
    From: Bill Rudman, March 7, 2005
  11. Original illustration of Doris albopustulosa Pease 1860
    From: Bill Rudman, March 7, 2005

Show factsheet and all related messages