Halgerda formosa ? from South Africa

August 19, 2008
From: Colin Ogden


Hi Bill,
Here are some pictures I took in March 2008 of this Halgerda slug from Sodwana Bay. This one I have also only seen once on a reef at 18 meters.

Locality: Sodwana Bay, on reef., 8 m, South Africa, IndianOcean, March 2008, 30 mm. Photographer: Colin Ogden.

Your opinion would be appreciated.
Regards
Colin

 

 

scubaco@iafrica.com

Ogden C. M., 2008 (Aug 19) Halgerda formosa ? from South Africa. [Message in] Sea Slug Forum. Australian Museum, Sydney. Available from http://www.seaslugforum.net/find/21817

Dear Colin,

It is just as well I don't think my reputation depends on identifying species of Halgerda correctly. If I thought it did I certainly wouldn't attempt to identify specimens from South Africa! Clearly, further research is needed on species from the south western Indian Ocean.

I first thought this could be a form of H. toliara, but one of your photos show one or two black spots on the mantle, and a large spot on the posterior part of the foot, which suggests it is a colour form of H. formosa. I have also tentatively identified some similarly coloured animals as forms of H. wasinensis. There seems to be one group with the upper half of the gills black, and another group with black lines down the edge of the gills. Unfortunately, from your photos, I can't place your animal comfortably into either group. I am identifying your animal as H. formosa, but remember that it is a very tentative identification.

Best wishes,
Bill Rudman

Rudman, W.B., 2008 (Aug 19). Comment on Halgerda formosa ? from South Africa by Colin Ogden. [Message in] Sea Slug Forum. Australian Museum, Sydney. Available from http://www.seaslugforum.net/find/21817

Factsheet

Halgerda formosa

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