Pleurobranchus atlanticus from Bonaire

November 16, 2009
From: Marianne Ligthart

Dear Bill,

Though we know it does not concern a real seaslug we ask your help for identification!
Diving at Bonaire, at Petries Pillar, we found this little animal creeping on dead coral rubble at a depht of 4 - 5 meters.
At first we were, not succesfully, searching in the direction of Velutinidae and Lamellaridae because we expect a little shell inside. One siphon was clearly visible. Size: 15 - 20 mm.
Behavior: fast and active.
Shape: a bit flat, almost like a flatworm.
We saw one specimen.
There is some resemblance with Pleurobranchus areolatus. But finally we think that is not possible.
We hope you can give us more information!

Locality: Divesite: Petries Pillar. South-westcoast of Bonaire, near Kralendijk., 4 -5 m, Bonaire, Caribbean Sea, 01 March 2009, On dead coral rubble.. Length: 15 - 20 mm. Photographer: Marco Faasse.

With greetings,
Marianne Ligthart

ahmligthart@hetnet.nl

Ligthart, M., 2009 (Nov 16) Pleurobranchus atlanticus from Bonaire. [Message in] Sea Slug Forum. Australian Museum, Sydney. Available from http://www.seaslugforum.net/find/22784

Dear Marianne,

This is definitely a pleurobranch sea slug. It is the species I am calling Pleurobranchus atlanticus. Although not clear in your photo, some of the tubercles have triangular white patches on them creating the impression that there are pointed white tubercules scattered over the back.

In Caribbean Sea Slugs this species is identified as Pleurobranchus crossei Vayssiere but as I discussed earlier [message #18917], I don't think the authors got their pleurobranchs quite right.

Best wishes,
Bill Rudman

Rudman, W.B., 2009 (Nov 16). Comment on Pleurobranchus atlanticus from Bonaire by Marianne Ligthart. [Message in] Sea Slug Forum. Australian Museum, Sydney. Available from http://www.seaslugforum.net/find/22784

Factsheet

Pleurobranchus atlanticus

Related messages

  1. Pleurobranchus atlanticus from Florida
    From: Jay Wilmar, September 20, 2007
  2. Pleurobranchus atlanticus and P. crossei
    From: Bill Rudman, December 13, 2006
  3. Pleurobranchus atlanticus from the Bahamas
    From: Les Wilk, December 17, 2005
  4. Pleurobranchus atlanticus from Jamaica
    From: Ross W. Gundersen, October 22, 2003
  5. Pleurobranchus evelinae = P. atlanticus
    From: Bill Rudman, September 10, 2003
  6. Pleurobranchus atlanticus from Netherlands Antilles
    From: Linda Ianniello, September 18, 2002
  7. Pleurobranchus atlanticus from the West Indies
    From: Anne DuPont, September 23, 2001
  8. Another notaspid from Colombia
    From: Phanor Montoya, October 22, 2000

Show factsheet and all related messages