Chromodoris leopardus freak

January 10, 2001
From: Mary Jane Adams

Hi Bill,
Here is one for your abnormal file. I found this Chromodoris leopardus sitting on the Wreck of the Ann in the Russell Group of the Solomon Islands. At first I thought it didn't have any rhinophores. However, when I looked at my slides I saw them peeking out between two flaps at the head end of the mantle. Another diver shot video of this beast a little later when it was crawling and flapping it's mantle. It showed the rhinophores rotating into the usual vertical position when the mantle was lifted. They looked normal as did the single mouth which was located beneath the lower mantle skirt.
Depth: 10 meters
Length: 4 cm
November 4, 2000
Best regards,
Mary Jane

divepng@yahoo.com

Adams, M.J., 2001 (Jan 10) Chromodoris leopardus freak. [Message in] Sea Slug Forum. Australian Museum, Sydney. Available from http://www.seaslugforum.net/find/3482

Dear Mary Jane,
A very interesting find. Through some developmental accident it has grown two anterior mantle flaps! Must be difficult for it to know what to do with the rhinophores.
Bill Rudman.

Factsheet

Abnormalities in Body Shape

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