Pleurobranchus mamillatus from Zanzibar

October 31, 2005
From: Carlos Martínez-Escamilla

Here are some photos of, what is for me,  a rare nudibranch? which I saw while diving north-west of Zanzibar, near Bawe Island. I am unable to identify it. What do you think is it? I can find similar looking animals, but nothing as big as this.

Locality: Bawe Island. Zanzibar. Tanzania, Indian Ocean. Depth: 20 m. Length: 45 to 50 cms. August 2005. Observed alive on sandy ground. Photographer: Carlos Marínez-Escamilla

Thank you for your help and your wonderful work helping sea lovers.
Carlos Martinez-Escamilla
Madrid. Spain.

CCME01@teleline.es

Martínez-Escamilla, Carlos, 2005 (Oct 31) Pleurobranchus mamillatus from Zanzibar. [Message in] Sea Slug Forum. Australian Museum, Sydney. Available from http://www.seaslugforum.net/find/15137

Dear Carlos,
Not all sea slugs are nudibranchs. This is a pleurobranch, one of a group of sea slugs which are characterised by having a large gill on the right side of the body, hidden beneath the mantle skirt.

This species is Pleurobranchus mamillatus, which was first decribed from Mauritius in 1832, but has seldom been reported since, so it is good to get another record. It is quite variable in colour and looks very similar to a species from the Mediterranean, P. testudinarius. These very large animals can look quite spectacular on a white sandy bottom. As we can see in your middle left photo, the tubercles on its back are able to extend and contract a considerable distance.

Best wishes,
Bill Rudman

Rudman, W.B., 2005 (Oct 31). Comment on Pleurobranchus mamillatus from Zanzibar by Carlos Martínez-Escamilla. [Message in] Sea Slug Forum. Australian Museum, Sydney. Available from http://www.seaslugforum.net/find/15137

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Pleurobranchus mamillatus

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