More on Hawaiian Philinopsis speciosa [1]

February 4, 2006
From: Cory Pittman

Concerning message #15635:

Dear Bill,
On Maui, Philinopsis speciosa is fairly common both in Halimeda incrassata beds at depths over 10 m and in shallower, mixed sand/rubble habitats at moderately protected to moderately exposed sites. Its appearance and behavior seem quite consistent with P. cyanea on the Forum and I've thought of them as probable synonyms for some time. My one reservation about lumping them derives from an observation I made back in 1995. A 55 mm animal collected from a tide pool at Napili Bay, Maui on September 8 laid eggs while I was holding it in an aerated container. The mass measured 65 mm by 17 mm and was of the typical form for the species. However, there were only 7-10 eggs per capsule. This contrasts with Philibert Bidgrain's report of P. cyanea from Reunion of 20-30 eggs per capsule. I don't know whether or not this is significant but I thought it might be of interest. Sorry, no photo (I think my camera was "down" for some reason).

Locality: Napili Bay, Maui, Hawaii, USA. tide pool. Length: 55 mm. 8 September 1995. pool with cobble bottom over coarse sand

Best wishes,
Cory Pittman

cory@cet.com

Pittman, C. C., 2006 (Feb 4) More on Hawaiian Philinopsis speciosa [1]. [Message in] Sea Slug Forum. Australian Museum, Sydney. Available from http://www.seaslugforum.net/find/15673

Thanks Cory,
I think it is always more difficult to 'lump' two species together than it is to erect a new species. I am not sure if that range in eggs per capsule is important in this group. I would welcome some more input if anyone has information to add.
Best wishes,
Bill Rudman

Rudman, W.B., 2006 (Feb 4). Comment on More on Hawaiian Philinopsis speciosa [1] by Cory Pittman. [Message in] Sea Slug Forum. Australian Museum, Sydney. Available from http://www.seaslugforum.net/find/15673

Factsheet

Philinopsis speciosa

Related messages

  1. Philinopsis speciosa from Maui, Hawaii
    From: Jim Spears, July 27, 2006
  2. Re: More on Hawaiian Philinopsis speciosa [2]
    From: Terry Gosliner, February 6, 2006
  3. More on Hawaiian Philinopsis speciosa [2]
    From: Cory Pittman, February 4, 2006
  4. Philinopsis speciosa from Hawaii
    From: Scott Johnson, January 26, 2006
  5. Re: Aggregation of Stylocheilus striatus in Indonesia
    From: Clay Carlson, January 24, 2006
  6. Philinopsis cyanea hunting Stylocheilus
    From: Mike Roberts, June 20, 2005

Show factsheet and all related messages