Umbraculum umbraculum from New Zealand

December 30, 2004
From: Trevor Edward Lochore

Photographed in Matauri Bay, Northland, I have enquired within New Zealand as to what species this is ..unknown. We are keen to know exactly what this is..we thought at first it could be an anenome of sorts, then after 10 minutes observation realised it wasn't .. could it be an egg pouch? As you can see, its in tight with the Stayfast Kelp - we are really interested...can you help us?

Locality: Matauri Bay, Northland,  New Zealand
Depth: approx 7 metres. Length: 6 inches in length, February, 2004
rocky topography
Photographer: Trevor E. Lochore

and a merry xmas to you by the way,
Bev and Trev

Bev-trev@xtra.co.nz

Lochore T.E., 2004 (Dec 30) Umbraculum umbraculum from New Zealand. [Message in] Sea Slug Forum. Australian Museum, Sydney. Available from http://www.seaslugforum.net/find/12844

Dear Trev,
This is the primitive side-gilled slug, Umbraculum umbraculum.  It looks quite like the Wandering Sea Anemone, Phlyctenanthus australis, which is often found attached to kelp, here in New South Wales. I am pretty sure there is a similar, if not the same anemone in New Zealand. It also looks very like the large dorid nudibranch Archidoris wellingtonensis, which is definitely found in New Zealand. However its closest relatives are the side-gilled slugs such as Pleurobranchus and Pleurobranchaea. If you look at Paul Furneaux's message [#10615] concerning Pleurobranchaea maculata from New Zealand, you will see from the photos why they are called side-gilled slugs.

I have included a couple of close-ups from your photo to show the large external limpet-like conical shell, and the large gill which lies under the shell arround the front and down the right side of the body. Usually the gill is hidden under the shell, but when the animal is feeling safe, it can extend the gill out from under the shell as in your photo [lower right]. The whole body is covered in conical pustules as can be seen in your lower left photo.

Best wishes,
Bill Rudman

Rudman, W.B., 2004 (Dec 30). Comment on Umbraculum umbraculum from New Zealand by Trevor Edward Lochore. [Message in] Sea Slug Forum. Australian Museum, Sydney. Available from http://www.seaslugforum.net/find/12844

Factsheet

Umbraculum umbraculum

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