Dermatobranchus from South Africa

March 13, 2000
From: Valda Fraser


Dear Bill
I definitely need a lesson or two on taking photos of pale animals! I just hope you can see enough to identify this one. Choose the image which is clearer (I used two different sized framers).
Locality: South Coast KwaZulu-Natal, SOUTH AFRICA. Shelly Beach (near Port Shepstone) - 32m
Date: 5 March 2000
Size: 20mm
Regards
Valda Fraser

iti04937@mweb.co.za

Fraser, V., 2000 (Mar 13) Dermatobranchus from South Africa. [Message in] Sea Slug Forum. Australian Museum, Sydney. Available from http://www.seaslugforum.net/find/2055

Dear Valda,
I have used a bit of both so the general shape and colour pattern is clear. I am nor sure how you are judging exposure, but if it is an automatic metering system the problem is the meter is averaging across the pale object and the dark background. Perhaps try underexposing half an aperture if you can and see what happens.

Now to the animal. It is a species of Dermatobranchus and we are a long way from having those sorted out. It could possibly be D. semistriatus Baba, 1949 but that species does not have the blackish crescent halfway down the back. However we have liitle information on the variability of D. semistriatus so it is possible the crescent mark can sometimes be absent.

So at present Dermatobranchus cf. semistriatus would be the most appropriate name.
Best wishes,
Bill Rudman.

Rudman, W.B., 2000 (Mar 13). Comment on Dermatobranchus from South Africa by Valda Fraser. [Message in] Sea Slug Forum. Australian Museum, Sydney. Available from http://www.seaslugforum.net/find/2055

Factsheet

Dermatobranchus cf. semistriatus

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