Re: Hermaea? from Okinawa, Japan.

May 26, 2005
From: Francis & Pirjo Pellet


Dear Bill,

We think that Hikaru's slug from Okinawa [message #13730] is probably the same we found in Indonesia during our last trip in Lembeh Strait in October 2004 [message #11670 ].

Locality: Lembeh Strait, North Sulawesi , Indonesia. Depth: 25 m. Length: adults 20 mm, juveniles 3 mm. 02-October 2004. Sand. Photographer: Francis PELLET

We thought it is an Aplysiopsis. Altogether we saw four specimen (+ two juveniles) always on the same alga [middle photo], which must be their food . The color of the juvenile is very bright (like fluorescent) orange-red. In fact, what is the difference between Aplysiopsis and Hermaea?

Francis & Pirjo Pellet

 

pirjo.pellet@free.fr

Pellet, F.& P., 2005 (May 26) Re: Hermaea? from Okinawa, Japan.. [Message in] Sea Slug Forum. Australian Museum, Sydney. Available from http://www.seaslugforum.net/find/13862

Dear Francis & Pirjo,
I agree they are the same. I'm afraid I had a memory of your photos but couldn't find them when I answered Hikaru's message. As I suggested previously, Aplysiopsis is probably the best genus to place this in.

The general shape, and the enrolled thinophores with unequal lobes suggest this is a species of the Hermaeidae. From the heavy pigmentation on the body it is most probably a species of Aplysiopsis but to be sure you would have to look at radular teeth. Aplysiopsis has very distinctive teeth ("sabot-shaped" with denticles on cutting edges). Hermaea have more "typical" sacoglossan teeth (blade-shaped, with or without minute lateral denticles), and usually the body is colourless, almost transparent.

Best wishes,
Bill Rudman

Rudman, W.B., 2005 (May 26). Comment on Re: Hermaea? from Okinawa, Japan. by Francis & Pirjo Pellet. [Message in] Sea Slug Forum. Australian Museum, Sydney. Available from http://www.seaslugforum.net/find/13862

Factsheet

Aplysiopsis sp. 1

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