New Tambja species from Sri Lanka

August 24, 2005
From: Marina Poddubetskaia Ossokine

Dear Bill,

Following the recent messages on Tambja, I  would like to complete this set  by adding a message on new species I found in Sri Lanka a year ago and which can't be described for now. I saw only 2 juvenile specimens which were collected and sent to Marta Pola for study.

Locality:  'Diyamba', Hikkaduwa. Sri Lanka, Indian Ocean. Depth: 14 m. Length: 12 mm. 10 November 2004. rocks covered in fixed invertebrates
Photographer: Marina Poddubetskaia

Here is an extract from Marta's answer :
"...It is a Tambja but with some features of Roboastra as the well developed oral tentacles and a lateral tooth with an upper cusp with two very large denticles. The problem... they are juveniles and the reproductive system is not well developed. I am quite sure they are not specimens of Tambja amakusana, I am sure it is a new species but I need adults to describe it. It is a pity because they are really beautiful!"

Maybe some divers have already seen this species somewhere : I noted that on the Forum some messages on 'rare' species generated many additional information. That's why I would like to share today this information with you and all the participants.

All the best,
Marina.
Photos: Marina Poddubetskaia - Nembro website

nembro@nembro.info

Poddubetskaia Ossokine, M., 2005 (Aug 24) New Tambja species from Sri Lanka. [Message in] Sea Slug Forum. Australian Museum, Sydney. Available from http://www.seaslugforum.net/find/14478

Thanks Marina,
I will call it Tambja sp. 9. it ceratinly seems that Tambja with long oral tentacles are more common than we initially thought. I hope this message can generate some new information.
Best wishes,
Bill Rudman

Rudman, W.B., 2005 (Aug 24). Comment on New Tambja species from Sri Lanka by Marina Poddubetskaia Ossokine. [Message in] Sea Slug Forum. Australian Museum, Sydney. Available from http://www.seaslugforum.net/find/14478

Factsheet

Tambja sp. 9