Re: Unidentified Arctic 'Nudibranch'

September 15, 2005
From: Philip Sargent

Tim:
Concerning your message #14177:
I found your photo extremely interesting. I myself have observed a Velutinid here in Newfoundland, though the one I observed looks considerably different than the one you have pictured here. I've been trying to identify mine for the last year and it hasn't been easy. I believe mine is of the genus Onchidiopsis and may be O. corys. I've been in touch with researchers around the globe and it appears this group is difficult to accurately identify but morphology of it's internal shell definitely helps narrow it down. I see there was a reply [#14190] to your message with a couple of references that may help you, but the list is incomplete. Here's a complete list of references for northern velutinids. If you take out the internal shell and look at these references they have fairly decent pictures for comparison.

  • Gulbin, V. V. and A. N. Golikov. 1997. A review of the prosobranch family Velutinidae in cold and temperate water of the northern hemisphere. I. Capulacmaeinae. Ophelia 47: 43-54.
  • Gulbin, V. V. and A. N. Golikov. 1998. A review of the prosobranch family Velutinidae in cold and temperate water of the northern hemisphere. II. Velutininae: Genus Limneria. Ophelia 49: 211-220.
  • Gulbin, V. V. and A. N. Golikov. 1999. A review of the prosobranch family Velutinidae in cold and temperate water of the northern hemisphere. III. Velutininae. Genera Ciliatovelutina and Velutina. Ophelia 51: 223-238.
  • Gulbin, V. V. and A. N. Golikov. 2000. A review of the prosobranch family Velutinidae in cold and temperate water of the northern hemisphere. IV. Velutiniae. Genera Velutella, Cartilagovelutina and Marsenina. Ophelia 53: 141-149.
  • Gulbin, V. V. and A. N. Golikov. 2001. A review of the prosobranch family Velutinidae in cold and temperate water of the northern hemisphere. V. Onchidiopsinae. Ophelia 54: 119-132.

Is this the only specimen you've observed or have you seen them regularly? The one I observed is the only one I have ever seen. Apparently they are quite rare but occasionally can be found in large numbers. I believe this may be when they are breeding. If you come across anymore of these animals I'd love to have some to examine for myself. If you find more and are willing to send some to me, e-mail me and we'll figure out how to do this.

Cheers,
Philip

philips@mun.ca

Sargent, P. S., 2005 (Sep 15) Re: Unidentified Arctic 'Nudibranch'. [Message in] Sea Slug Forum. Australian Museum, Sydney. Available from http://www.seaslugforum.net/find/14772

Dear Philip,
Thanks for the information. Since velutinids only end up on the Sea Slug Forum by accident, perhaps you should get in touch with Tim by using the email address on his message. As much as I would like to increase the scope of the Forum, it would be a logistic impossibility.
Best wishes,
Bill Rudman

Rudman, W.B., 2005 (Sep 15). Comment on Re: Unidentified Arctic 'Nudibranch' by Philip Sargent. [Message in] Sea Slug Forum. Australian Museum, Sydney. Available from http://www.seaslugforum.net/find/14772

Factsheet

Velutinidae - are they sea slugs?

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