Bornella japonica? from Hachijo Is

November 1, 2001
From: Rie Nakano

Dear Dr.Rudman
I found this Bornella at the edge of the rocky reef of Hachijo Island, Izu,
Japan, at the end of September, 2001. I dived 4 times and I looked at it each time.
It has 3 pairs of cerata-like structures on each side of its elongate body.
Is this Bornella japonica?

Depth: 8-15m
Length: 5-15mm
Water temperature: 24.6 degrees
Frequency: common in Hachijo

Sincerely,
Rie Nakano

rie@divers.ne.jp

Nakano, R., 2001 (Nov 1) Bornella japonica? from Hachijo Is. [Message in] Sea Slug Forum. Australian Museum, Sydney. Available from http://www.seaslugforum.net/find/5499

Dear Rie,
I think this probably is Bornella japonica. I am not sure whether 3 pairs of cerata (dorso-lateral papillae) is important, because that feature may depend on the size of the animal. I think what will be of importance is the shape of the papillae on the rhinophore sheath. Baba describes the posteriormost of the rhinophore sheath papillae to have 3 or 4 secondary papillae, which unfortunately are not so clear on your photo. I suspect also that B. japonica has white cerata without the orange reticulate pattern, but all this can only be confirmed by checking its anatomy
Best wishes,
Bill Rudman

Rudman, W.B., 2001 (Nov 1). Comment on Bornella japonica? from Hachijo Is by Rie Nakano . [Message in] Sea Slug Forum. Australian Museum, Sydney. Available from http://www.seaslugforum.net/find/5499

Factsheet

Bornella japonica

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