Thorunna kahuna and T. daniellae

October 4, 2003
From: Rebecca F. Johnson

Hi Bill,
Keoki's animal is Thorunna kahuna not T. daniellae. Terry and I named this species in the Proceedings from the Sicily meetings in 2001.

It was previously only known from Magic Island off Oahu in the Hawaiian Islands. I am quoting from our paper here ... "the most distinct external difference between these species (T. daniellae and T. kahuna) is the presence of large, visible mantle glands on the sides of the head anterior to the rhinophores and posterior to the gills in T. kahuna."

I am attaching am image of the the type specimen from Magic Island and a drawing of the mantle glands, so you can see the same mantle gland configuration seen in Keoki's picture. I am also attaching an image of the mantle surface of T. daniellae. This species does not have mantle glands that are visible without an microscope. Thorunna kahuna and T. daniellae also have different radular teeth. I am posting a picture of the radula and jaws of T. kahuna. The teeth have many more denticles than those of T. daniellae. Interestingly, the only two species of Thorunna with visible mantle glands, T. kahuna and T. australis also have very denticulated teeth.
Thanks,
Rebecca

rjohnson@CalAcademy.Org

Johnson, R.F., 2003 (Oct 4) Thorunna kahuna and T. daniellae. [Message in] Sea Slug Forum. Australian Museum, Sydney. Available from http://www.seaslugforum.net/find/11094

Thanks Rebecca,
My mistake. I thought there was another species with a similar colour pattern but I am afraid my memory let me down. I have attached you radular photos in a separate message and posted a message with illustrations of the radula of T. daniellae. It is interesting how the mantle glands are so obvious in this species but apparently lacking in most others.
Best wishes
Bill Rudman

Rudman, W.B., 2003 (Oct 4). Comment on Thorunna kahuna and T. daniellae by Rebecca F. Johnson. [Message in] Sea Slug Forum. Australian Museum, Sydney. Available from http://www.seaslugforum.net/find/11094

Factsheet

Thorunna kahuna

Related messages

  1. Re: Thorunna kahuna from Midway
    From: Keoki Stender, October 5, 2003
  2. Re: Thorunna daniellae from Midway
    From: Keoki Stender, October 4, 2003
  3. Radula of Thorunna kahuna
    From: Rebecca Johnson, October 4, 2003
  4. Thorunna daniellae from Midway
    From: Keoki Stender, October 1, 2003

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