Re: Range extension for Volvatella ayakii

September 22, 2005
From: Julie Marshall

Dear Bill,
Cobcerning your comments [#14787]: I agree identification in this group is very difficult but the distinct large white patches which always seem to be present on Volvatella angeliniana (see my accompanying message) seem to distinguish it from the animals I have called V. ayakii especially as both groups of animals were of the same size.

Ono's picture of V. ayakii in his recent book on Opisthobranchs from the Ryukyu Islands (p. 44, no. 83) seems to have faint white dots on the mantle. He also illustrates V. angeliniana (no. 82). I expect a number of more specimens of both species need to be collected to make a definite decision.

Best wishes,
Julie Marshall

juliemarshall@netspace.net.au

Marshall, J.G., 2005 (Sep 22) Re: Range extension for Volvatella ayakii. [Message in] Sea Slug Forum. Australian Museum, Sydney. Available from http://www.seaslugforum.net/find/14817

Dear Julie,
I wasn't really trying to say your animals were V. angeliniana, it was your mention of white spots which made me think of that species. Looking at Hamantani's orignal photos, the white spots don't seem to be as uniformly arranged as in your animals, they seem to be restricted to two broad bands. That's not to say your animal isn't V. ayakii, it's just I am finding it harder and harder to find good characters to separate quite a few of these Volvatella species.

Your mention of Opisthobranchs from the Ryukyu Islands reminds me that now I can get back into the book review section of the Forum I should add a review I prepared some time ago.
Best wishes,
Bill Rudman

Rudman, W.B., 2005 (Sep 22). Comment on Re: Range extension for Volvatella ayakii by Julie Marshall. [Message in] Sea Slug Forum. Australian Museum, Sydney. Available from http://www.seaslugforum.net/find/14817

Factsheet

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