Re: Adalaria? Akiodoris? from Denmark

June 21, 2007
From: Alexander Martynov

Concerning message #19430:

Dear Sven & Bill,
Both species of the genus Akiodoris are restricted only to the Northern Pacific and it is not likely that this genus may appear in the Northern Atlantic. Further, according to general shape of the notum and tubercle morphology these specimens are not Akiodoris or Adalaria.

The specimens are rather flattened and seemingly quite tightly adpressed to the substrata. Despite this, and judging from the considerably contracted rhinophores and gills, I guess that this shaped body is not very natural. Is it possible that the molluscs were somewhat disturbed before photographing? In this case I am rather inclined that the specimens are probably the common North Atlantic species Acanthodoris pilosa. In the animal in the upper photo ther are clearly conical tubercles at the edge of notum, typical for Acanthodoris pilosa. In their normal living condition, A. pilosa has a quite elevated, somewhat ovoid body and large multipinnate gills. Maybe these specimens were rather old since they were observed in winter, whereas (at least on the White and Barents Seas) adult specimens are usually found in summer. Returning to flattened body shape, some species of the genus Onchidoris, e.g. O. depressa and O. pusilla have a flattened body like this in life, but they have different colour of notum and gill morphology. Enlarged gills of one of these specimens suggests they are the contracted multipinnate gills of Acanthodoris rather than unipinnate ones of the Onchidoris. I attached two photographs of Acanthodoris pilosa:  the first is rather similar to Sven's specimens, whereas the second represents the more typical shape of Acanthodoris pilosa.

Locality: Barents Sea, Dalne-Zelenetskaya Bay, intertidal, 01 August 2005, size 10-15 mm, photos by Tanya Korshunova.

Kind regards,
Alexander

sasha_martynov@inbox.ru

Martynov, A., 2007 (Jun 21) Re: Adalaria? Akiodoris? from Denmark. [Message in] Sea Slug Forum. Australian Museum, Sydney. Available from http://www.seaslugforum.net/find/20054

Thanks Alexander,

I mentioned Adalaria sp. A and Akiodoris because in drawings they both have the rings of spicules so visible in Sven's photos - not a very 'scientific approach - so I am very glad to have your considered opinion based on personal experience of these animals.

Best wishes,
Bill Rudman

Rudman, W.B., 2007 (Jun 21). Comment on Re: Adalaria? Akiodoris? from Denmark by Alexander Martynov. [Message in] Sea Slug Forum. Australian Museum, Sydney. Available from http://www.seaslugforum.net/find/20054

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