Is this Discodoris? liturata or another species?

December 18, 1998
From: Bernard Picton

Hi Bill,

Lindsay was telling me about the Phyllidia mimic, so I took a look at the one we got last year. I enclose a scan. Again, Hoga Is (Sulawesi, Indonesia). This seems to be a different species, but of course there seems to be a strong selection pressure to look like a Phyllidia, they must be really awful to eat!!

Bernard

bernard.picton.um@nics.gov.uk

Picton, B., 1998 (Dec 18) Is this Discodoris? liturata or another species?. [Message in] Sea Slug Forum. Australian Museum, Sydney. Available from http://www.seaslugforum.net/find/404

Note added 5 March 2007: This species, previously known on the Forum as Discodoris? liturata Bergh, 1905 is now placed in the genus Paradoris.

Thanks for the pic Bernard.
Hopefully it is not a different species but just a colour form. I know if it were a different species it would be another spectacular example of mimicry but it would be a nomenclatural mightmare. Not only would it probably be impossible to decide which is Bergh's species, but it would make life difficult for fieldwork identifications in the future. Whatever the case, they are really amazing mimics. ... Bill Rudman.

Rudman, W.B., 1998 (Dec 18). Comment on Is this Discodoris? liturata or another species? by Bernard Picton. [Message in] Sea Slug Forum. Australian Museum, Sydney. Available from http://www.seaslugforum.net/find/404

Factsheet

Paradoris liturata

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