Elysia cauze from Brazil

Dear Padula,
As I have said before, many species are difficult to identify because the original descriptions lacked sufficient information. These photos fit Ernst Marcus's original description rather well. One point I would be grateful if you could check is whether the small blackish spots on the outside of the parapodia [see close-up alongside] are spots or rings. Marcus describes them as small rings, and Thompson (1977) reports them from specimens he examined in Jamaica. In the photo alongside I can also see the reticulate branching of the blood vessels over the inside of the right parapodia. This lack of primary vessels is also mentioned by Marcus.

Since the original animals were collected at Ilha de São Sebastião and Ubatuba, in São Paulo State just south of Rio de Janeiro, and it is also known from the Caribbean, I guess it was only a matter of time before a diligent researcher found this species in your state. It is indeed an excellent find and I am sure will help clarify the identity of this species. I will now be able to upgrade the Fact Sheet on this species.

• Marcus, Er. (1957) On Opisthobranchia from Brazil (2). Journal of the Linnean Society of London, Zoology, 43(292): 390-486.
• Marcus, Ev. (1980) Review of western Atlantic Elysiidae (Opisthobranchia Ascoglossa) with a description of a new Elysia species. Bulletin of Marine Science, 30(1): 54-79.
• Thompson, T.E. (1977)  Jamaican opisthobranch molluscs I. Journal of Molluscan Studies, 43(2): 93-139, pls.1-3.
  
  Best wishes,
  Bill Rudman