Species of Runcina from Malta

August 21, 1999
From: Constantine Mifsud

Mr. Rudman,

The European species of Runcina are very problematic. There are also some problems with the type species R. coronata according to Gosliner. I am posting these photos of two or possibly three species in the hope that someone can identify any of them.

The specimens are small, 2-3mm. and were found in tide pools (0.25m) on algae at the Maltese islands a couple of weeks ago.

Constantine Mifsud
4, Shepherds' Str.,
Rabat RBT 02,
MALTA.

kejdon@orbit.net.mt

Mifsud, C., 1999 (Aug 21) Species of Runcina from Malta. [Message in] Sea Slug Forum. Australian Museum, Sydney. Available from http://www.seaslugforum.net/find/1223

Dear Constantine,
I claim ignorance of European runcinids. Your sp.3 looks like Runcina adriatica Thompson, 1980, but I understand that not everyone agrees with Thompson's ideas on Mediterranean runcinids.
There are some later papers describing species of runcinids from the Straits of Gibraltar and Angola but it would be better for someone with firsthand experience of these animals to comment.

Anyone got any ideas on these animals, or photos of European runcinids?

Bill Rudman.

References:
Thompson, T.E. (1980) New species of the bullomorph genus Runcina from the northern Adriatic Sea. Journal of Molluscan Studies, 46: 154-157.

Thompson, T.E. & Brodie, G. (1988) Eastern Mediterranean Opisthobranchia: Runcinidae, with a review of runcinid classification and a description of a new species from Fiji. Journal of Molluscan Studies, 54: 339-346.

Rudman, W.B., 1999 (Aug 21). Comment on Species of Runcina from Malta by Constantine Mifsud. [Message in] Sea Slug Forum. Australian Museum, Sydney. Available from http://www.seaslugforum.net/find/1223

Factsheet

Runcina spp.

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