Oxynoe kabirensis from Hachijo Island, Japan

Dear Shouichi,
These all certainly fit Hamatani's description of Oxynoe kabirensis which fortunately included a description and illustrations of the living animal, and a comparison with Oxyemnoe viridis.

Hamatani notes some differences in the shape of the shell, and considers the radular teeth of O. kabirensis to be somewhat wider than the teeh of O. viridis, but the main difference is in the shape and colour of the living animal. The background colour of O. kabirensis varies from a pale yellowish green to a dark green, but whatever the color there is always a darker region at the base of the parapodia which extends up as a triangular peak in the middle of the parapodia. There can also be secondary peaks at the front and back of the parapodia. The edge of this darker patch is lined with an even darker line. There can be some yellowish spots on the parapodia and there are usually a few scattered very elongate papillae, which are probbaly retractile. In O. viridis the background colour is uniform, there being no darker green patch on the parapodia, and usually ther are scattered blue spots.

• Hamatani, I. (1980) On the species of the genus Oxynoe Rafinesque, 1819 from Japan, inclusive of a new species (Opisthobranchia: Ascoglossa). Publications of the Seto Marine Biological Laboratory, 25(5-6): 349-360.

Thanks very much for these photos, they are an interesting addition to Hamatani's original description.
Best wishes,
Bill Rudman