Chromodoris annulata - colour variation

January 25, 2001
From: Gordon T. Smith

Dear Bill,

I have been reviewing a lot of my slides recently for scanning purposes and following yesterday's dives at Khorfakkan [Gulf of Oman] I can definitely conclude that if there is a line joining the rings there are fewer yellow spots. [See Gordon's earlier message]. I found seven creatures yesterday (3 with lines) in slightly different locations, in fact first time I have found both types in the same area.

Although I hate to interfere with nature, what would be the chances of a pair mating if put together (i.e. one with the joining line and one without), would this prove that they are both of the same species?

Best regards
Gordon

aquashot@emirates.net.ae

Smith, G.T., 2001 (Jan 25) Chromodoris annulata - colour variation. [Message in] Sea Slug Forum. Australian Museum, Sydney. Available from http://www.seaslugforum.net/find/3586

Dear Gordon,
If they are living in the same area then I don't think you would be interfering with nature by putting the different colour forms together. In fact you would be "letting nature take its course". Like most areas of science there are debates going on in biology over just what is a species. Keeping it simple, I would certainly consider two animals I found mating to be of the same species. It is also most unlikely that two animals, which were different species, could be made to mate simply by putting them in close proximity.

I think it would be an excellent test, especially if you were able to photograph them in action.
Best wishes,
Bill Rudman

Rudman, W.B., 2001 (Jan 25). Comment on Chromodoris annulata - colour variation by Gordon T. Smith. [Message in] Sea Slug Forum. Australian Museum, Sydney. Available from http://www.seaslugforum.net/find/3586

Factsheet

Chromodoris annulata

Related messages

  1. Re: Chromodoris annulata colour form from the Persian Gulf
    From: Lawrence Neal, May 4, 2010
  2. Chromodoris annulata colour form from Persian Gulf
    From: Mahdi Moradi Och Tapeh, May 3, 2010
  3. Chromodoris annulata from Larak Island, Iran
    From: Mahdi Moradi Och Tapeh, May 3, 2010
  4. Re: Chromodoris annulata from Mediterranean coast of Israel
    From: Louis Tisakkiros, May 3, 2010
  5. Chromodoris annulata from Mediterranean coast of Israel
    From: Yoav Lavi, October 5, 2009
  6. Re: Chromodoris annulata from Gulf of Oman
    From: William Messruther, September 22, 2008
  7. Re: Chromodoris annulata from Red Sea & Persian Gulf
    From: William Messruther, September 18, 2008
  8. Spotless Chromodoris annulata from Thailand
    From: Hans van Rijn, November 27, 2007
  9. Chromodoris annulata from the Red Sea
    From: Kamal El Tawil, October 4, 2007
  10. Chromodoris annulata from the Egyptian Red Sea
    From: Eddy Mannak, August 4, 2007
  11. Re: Chromodoris annulata from Thailand
    From: Asther Lau, November 28, 2006
  12. Damaged? Chromodoris annulata
    From: Kamal El Tawil, June 21, 2006
  13. Chromodoris annulata ? from Bahrain
    From: Michael Arora, December 16, 2005
  14. Juvenile Chromodoris annulata ?
    From: Oren Lederman, October 20, 2005
  15. Re: Chromodoris annulata - colour markings
    From: Iain Macdonald, January 27, 2005
  16. Chromodoris annulata from the Egyptian Red Sea
    From: Michael Mrutzel, January 3, 2005
  17. Re: Chromodoris annulata - colour markings
    From: Iain Andrew Macdonald, December 31, 2004
  18. Chromodoris annulata - colour markings
    From: Dr. Iain Andrew Macdonald, December 30, 2004
  19. Chromodoris annulata - population, natural history
    From: Kathrin Lüttmann, June 2, 2003
  20. Chromodoris annulata from the Red Sea
    From: Ilan Ben Tov, May 9, 2003
  21. Chromodoris annulata from Burma (Myanmar)
    From: Orhan Aytur, April 1, 2003
  22. What does Chromodoris annulata eat?
    From: Gabriella Titone, March 28, 2003
  23. Chromodoris annulata & egg ribbon from Burma
    From: Mary Jane Adams, March 27, 2003
  24. Spotless Chromodoris annulata from Myanmar
    From: Mary Jane Adams, March 27, 2003
  25. Re: Magnificent spotless Chromodoris annulata
    From: Hans Tibboel, February 24, 2003
  26. Magnificent spotless Chromodoris annulata
    From: Danny Van Belle, February 14, 2003
  27. Special Chromodoris annulata
    From: Danny Van Belle, February 11, 2003
  28. Chromodoris annulata from Thailand
    From: Danny Van Belle, February 6, 2003
  29. Chromodoris annulata from Abu Dhabi
    From: Peter Hardy , July 17, 2002
  30. Re: Chromodoris annulata from United Arab Emirates
    From: Melinda Barry, June 7, 2002
  31. Chromodoris annulata from United Arab Emirates
    From: Melinda Barry, June 6, 2002
  32. Chromodoris annulata from the Red Sea
    From: Marina Poddubetskaia , April 18, 2002
  33. Chromodoris annulata from Abu Dhabi
    From: Peter Hardy, May 15, 2001
  34. Chromodoris annulata from Red Sea & Persian Gulf
    From: Gordon T. Smith, November 1, 2000
  35. Can nudibranchs breath air?
    From: Valda Fraser, September 2, 2000
  36. Risbecia imperialis & Chromodoris annulata
    From: Bill Rudman, April 11, 1999

Show factsheet and all related messages