Information on Halgerda theobroma
October 16, 2001
From: Shireen Fahey
Dear Bill,
Here is some information on, Halgerda theobroma , one of the new species of Halgerda that Terry Gosliner and I have just published.
PHOTO: Specimen, 20 mm, from Rottnest Island, Western Australia. 21 m depth, December, 1998. Photo by C. Bryce. (Fahey & Gosliner, 2001: Fig. 3B)
This Halgerda species is a real beauty. It's unusual for a Halgerda because it doesn't have the high body profile found in most other species of the genus. It also lacks the usual tubercle or ridge pattern found on most Halgerda. Instead, it has a central yellow ridge that's outlined in white, with slightly raised yellow splotches of color very evenly spaced along the outer edge of the mantle. There's also a wide, yellow band along the mantle edge. The foot has a yellow margin too. Halgerda theobroma is named after cocoa due to its coloration. This species can be found from 6 meters down to 30 meters, and so far, only in Western Australia.
Reference:
• Fahey, S.J. & Gosliner, T.M. (2001) On the genus Halgerda (Nudibranchia: Halgerdidae) from Western Australia with descriptions of four new species. Bollettino Malacologico, 37(5-8): 55-76.
Best wishes,
Shireen
sfahey@mailbox.uq.edu.au
Fahey, S., 2001 (Oct 16) Information on Halgerda theobroma. [Message in] Sea Slug Forum. Australian Museum, Sydney. Available from http://www.seaslugforum.net/find/5477Thanks Shireen,
Bill Rudman
