Dermatobranchus gonatophora
van Hasselt, 1824

Order: NUDIBRANCHIA
Suborder: ARMININA
Family: Arminidae

DISTRIBUTION

Indo-West Pacific

PHOTO

Upper: Pulau Dayang, off the East Coast of Malaysia. Depth approx 15-23m, 14 April 2002. Photo: Kheong Sann Chan.
Lower: South coast KwaZulu-Natal, SOUTH AFRICA. Park Rynie - 25m, June 1999. Size: 30mm PHOTO: Valda Fraser.

Translucent greyish body with raised longitudinal ridges. Both the mantle and the foot can have scattered black or dark grey patches and spots. The edge of the mantle is thrown into wave-like folds. The ridges range in colour from an entire black line, a broken black line, or alternating broken black and yellow lines. There is an orange or yellow band around the edge of the mantle and the oral veil. The rhinophore club at black. Gosliner, Behrens & Williams (1996) Coral Reef Animals of the Indo-Pacific [#617] report this species feeding on the soft coral Eleuthorobia grayi.

Since Bergh (1905), the animal illustrated here has been identified with van Hasselt's species. I have doubts about this identification and until 10 Feb 2003, I have identified this species on the Forum as Dermatobranchus cf. gonatophora. However I have decided it is simpler to follow accepted usage until evidence to the contrary comes to light.

References:
• Bergh, L. S. R. (1905). Die Opisthobranchiata der Siboga-Expedition. Monographie, 50: 1-248, pls. 1-20.
• Gosliner, T.M., Behrens, D.W. & Williams, G.C. (1996) Coral Reef Animals of the Indo-Pacific. Sea Challengers: Monterey. 1-314.
• van Hasselt, J.C. (1824) Uittreksel uit eenem brief van Dr J.C. van Hasselt, aan Prof. van Swinderen. Tjuringa op Java, den 25 Mei 1823. Allgem Konst en letterbode. 16 January, 34-39.

Authorship details
Rudman, W.B., 2000 (April 1) Dermatobranchus gonatophora van Hasselt, 1824. [In] Sea Slug Forum. Australian Museum, Sydney. Available from http://www.seaslugforum.net/factsheet/dermcfgona

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