Glossodoris cf. tomsmithi from South Africa
March 30, 2000
From: Valda Fraser
Dear Bill
This is really a beauty! I hope that you will be able to identify it.
Locality: South coast KwaZulu-Natal SOUTH AFRICA. Park Rynie - 34m
Date: March 2000
Size: 70mm
Regards
Valda Fraser
iti04937@mweb.co.za
Dear Valda,
It certainly is a spectacular animal. The only species which approaches it in colour is
Glossodoris tomsmithi which is known from Hawaii and the Marshall Islands. That species has distinct blackish gills and rhinophores and is only known from halfwau around the world, so it is unlikely to be the same.
From its shape (wavy ruffled mantle, large gill cluster with secondary spirals) I would suspect it is a species of Glossodoris.
Best wishes,
Bill Rudman.
