Tiny nudibranch near rhinopore of Mexichromis
July 17, 2007
From: Ken Tucker
While photographing the two larger Mexichromis multituberculata, a tiny nudibranch came into view near one of the rhinopores. Because of its size, about 3 mm, I didn't notice it until I edited this photo. I'm a but confused by some of the reference photos I've seen for Mexichromis, but imagine these are both M. multituberculata. I'd like clarification.
As for the smaller nudibranch, I've not been able to find a match. Can someone id?
Locality: Lembeh Strait, site is Hairball, 12 metres, North Sulawesi, Indonesia, Celebes Sea, 5 Nov 2005, near shoreline. Length: two larger specimens appro 3 cm, smaller approx 3 mm. Photographer: Ken Tucker.
Ken Tucker
ken@kilili.com
Tucker, K.C., 2007 (Jul 17) Tiny nudibranch near rhinopore of Mexichromis. [Message in] Sea Slug Forum. Australian Museum, Sydney. Available from http://www.seaslugforum.net/find/20161
Dear Ken,
Firstly I see you would like clarification on the identification of Mexichromis multituberculata - wouldn't we all! I foolishly thought I had them sorted out many years ago (Rudman, 1973, 1983, 1984) but as more material comes available, colour and shape of the tubercles seems to become less important in this group of species. It is a very instructive lesson in showing that we have much to learn. Many colour picture books / identification guides tend to give the impression we know it all but that is far from so. All I can say at present is that your animals seem to be part of the colour variability of M. multituberculata - but its possible there is an earlier name available.
You didn't mention the sponge you animals are on. This is a species of Euryspongia, which seems to be the food choice of this species. From the yellow spots on the dorsum and the red on the gills, I suspect the little juvenile is Hypselodoris infucata. It is normally found feeding on dysideid sponges, so it wouldn't be out of place on Euryspongia.
-
Rudman, W.B. (1973) Chromodorid opisthobranch Mollusca from the Indo-West Pacific. Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society, 52(3): 175-199, 7 figs, 2 col. pl.
-
Rudman, W.B. (1983) The Chromodorididae (Opisthobranchia: Mollusca) of the Indo-West Pacific: Chromodoris splendida, C. aspersa and Hypselodoris placida colour groups. Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society, 78: 105-173.
-
Rudman, W.B. (1984) The Chromodorididae (Opisthobranchia: Mollusca) of the Indo-West Pacific: a review of the genera. Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society, 81: 115-273.
Best wishes,
Bill Rudman
Related messages
-
Mexichromis multituberculata from Lembeh
From: Zeineb Alhaidari, November 23, 2009 -
Re: Mexichromis multituberculata
From: Valda Fraser, November 19, 2009 -
Mexichromis multituberculata? from Oman?
From: Darja Tjioe, December 11, 2008 -
Three species feeding on the same sponge in Bali
From: Mike Krampf, August 9, 2007 -
Re: Feeding in Mexichromis multituberculata
From: Richard Swann, July 17, 2007 -
Mexichromis multituberculata from NE Sulawesi
From: Jim Anderson, November 28, 2006 -
Mexichromis multituberculata or M. katalexis?
From: Philibert Bidgrain, November 24, 2006 -
Mexichromis multituberculata from Thailand
From: Lawrence Neal, April 3, 2006 -
Mexichromis multituberculata from Egypt
From: Martina Balzarova, August 3, 2005 -
Feeding in Mexichromis multituberculata
From: Jun Imamoto, June 24, 2005 -
Mexichromis multituberculata from Sulawesi
From: Mary Jane Adams , December 23, 2002 -
Mexichromis multituberculata from Bali
From: Stuart Hutchison, February 24, 2002 -
Hong Kong Mexichromis multituberculata
From: W.B. Rudman & B.W. Darvell, February 2, 2002 -
Mexichromis from Bali, Indonesia
From: Mika Oyry, December 24, 2001 -
Mexichromis cf. multituberculata with egg mass
From: Michael D. Miller, November 24, 2001 -
Mexichromis from Papua New Guinea
From: Mary Jane Adams, August 18, 2000 -
Mexichromis multituberculata? from Bali
From: Michael Miller, January 16, 1999