Pleurobranchaea meckelii from the French Mediterranean

Dear Dom,

Species of Pleurobranchaea all look very similar externally. It is possible that there could be more than one species in the Mediterranean but I am following Lucas Cervera's advice in identifying them all as P. meckelii until a comprehensive study is done.

Concerning the spelling of the name. The International Rules recommend the use of a single i in making up names based on a person's name but since the name of this species was first published with two, we have to continue to spell it meckelii.

Your animal looks like it has been in a fight, its left rhinophore is gone and part of the mantle and the gill seem to be damaged. A likely possibility is that it has been 'mouthed' by a fish and spat out when the acid glands all over its skin began exuded their noxious milky white secretions. You can see these glands - they are the opaque bright white patches on the skin. I am not sure if it has actually lost its left eye. The eyes in these animals are in the body cavity just below the skin. You can see them through the transparent skin, just below the rhinophores. Have a look at the upper photo of P. inconspicua in Jim Lyle's message [#13265]. The eye is the little black spot just below the right rhinophore.

Best wishes,
Bill Rudman