Favorinus from Japan

November 25, 1999
From: Rie Nakano

Dear Bill.

Can you please identify this AEOLID sp. from Hachijo Island, Japan.

It was on the egg mass (maybe Hexabranchus sanguineus's egg).
Photographed by me. Length: 20mm, Depth: 26m, Water temperature: 26 degrees.

Sincerely,
Rie

rie@street.ne.jp

Nakano, R., 1999 (Nov 25) Favorinus from Japan. [Message in] Sea Slug Forum. Australian Museum, Sydney. Available from http://www.seaslugforum.net/find/1592

Dear Rie,
It is a species of Favorinus and its pink colour is from the eggs it has been eating, which could be of Hexabranchus. In most nudibranchs the colour pattern is quite a good way of identifying species, but in species of Favorinus, which eat other mollusc eggs, much of their colour comes from the eggs they are feeding on. I am afraid it is not possible to be sure of the species unless I could have a closer look at its head and rhinophores which differ in shape between species.

The most likely identification is Favorinus japonicus. There are photos of it already on the Forum showing colour variation.

Best wishes,
Bill Rudman.

Rudman, W.B., 1999 (Nov 25). Comment on Favorinus from Japan by Rie Nakano. [Message in] Sea Slug Forum. Australian Museum, Sydney. Available from http://www.seaslugforum.net/find/1592

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