Janolus toyamaensis from western India
April 25, 2010
From: Vishal Bhave
Concerning message #9016:
Dear Bill,
I think it resembles Janolus toyamaensis in its external coloration and white lines. Their is single species of Janolus reported from this area previously by Eliot in 1909 - Okhamandals paper; as Antiopella indica (Eliot, 1909).
Locality: Rocky patch, Okha, Gujarat, 0.2 meters, Gujarat, India, Gulf of Kuchchh, 02 April 2010, Intertidal shallow pool with lots of algae. Length: 21 mm. Photographer: Vishal Bhave.
Thank You.
Vishal Bhave
vishalbhave@gmail.com
Dear Vishal,
This is an interesting find. It certainly fits the external description of Janolus toyamaensis, which is known only from the Japanese region at present. However there is the possibility it is also the animal named Antiopella indica by Eliot. Firstly it was found at Okha, and secondly, Eliot described that "the parts of the back near [the cerata] seem to be marked with faint light stripes running towards the margin.' This suggests it may have had white lines.
Unfortunately the specimens in this small collection reported on by Eliot were not accompanied by any information on the living animals so their true colour is unknown. I would consider that without a colour description, there is no way we can identify Eliot's species as it is possible that a number of species of Janolus can be found in the region. My feeling is that you would be best using Baba's name J. toyamaensis
Eliot, C. N. E. 1909. Report on the nudibranchs collected by Mr. James Hornell at Okhamandal in Kattiawar in 1905-6. In: J. Hornell: Report to the government of Baroda on the marine zoology of Okhamandal Part 1: 137-145.
Best wishes,
Bill Rudman
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