Elysia flava from Antigua, Caribbean
June 2, 2009
From: Deang Yan Zhang
Dear Bill,
Many thanks for your opinion on the Elysia papillosa[message #22424]. Here is another species I guess is possibly Elysia flava Verrill, 1901. The colours of the animal are greenish yellow, dark green only in interior of the parapodia and somewhat semitransparent so it partly changes colour to match the surrounding environment. One characteristic is the parapodial margins which are white and have a series of white vesicles, which are like pendant lights hung along the edge of the parapodia. Some vesicles are also scattered on the surface of the parapodia and dorsal surface of the animal. There are two white spots on the skin which match up with the subepidermal eyes.
In April 12 2009, this specimen was found on under side of a piece coral at very low tide on the shoal, there was just out of the water. The length is 10 mm.
Locality: St.. John's, intertidal, Antigua, Caribbean Ocean, 12 April 2009, Shallow coral shoal. Length: 10 mm. Photographer: D.Y. Zhang.
Thank you again.
Best Regards,
D.Y. Zhang
kejushi@hotmail.com
Dear Deane Zhang,
Thanks for these photos of E. flava. I have wanted to include this species on the Forum for some time, because it is very similar - if not identical to Elysia obtusa, which was described from Japan and has since been found throughout the tropical Pacific. Interestingly, I see in the photos we have on the Forum of E. obtusa, that many specimens also have the two white spots above the eyes, which your report for E. flava.
Best wishes,
Bill Rudman
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