Trapania sp. from S.E. Australia
March 14, 2008
From: John Chuk
Dear Bill,
Here are two images of a nudibranch photographed at Flinders Pier, Victoria, Australia on 19th November 2002. The specimen measured 8 mm in length and was found crawling over algae on the bottom beneath the pier at a depth of 4 m.
The specimen appears to be a Trapania species. It has many similarities to T. brunnea but differs in having black rhinophores and gills, and orange tips to the lateral processes. As I'm not sure how variable T. brunnea is I'd be interested to hear your opinion.
Many thanks for all your help.
Best wishes,
John.
jchuk@giant.net.au
Chuk, J., 2008 (Mar 14) Trapania sp. from S.E. Australia. [Message in] Sea Slug Forum. Australian Museum, Sydney. Available from http://www.seaslugforum.net/find/8678
Dear John,
From the colour pattern I am sure this is not T. brunnea. I am pretty sure it is a species of Trapaniaand I suspect it is another unnamed species. I can't say I recall seeing one with this colour pattern before so I will have to give it a new number - Trapania sp. 15.
Best wishes
Bill Rudman
