Dendrodoris denisoni from New Zealand

February 21, 2003
From: Mark Burnett


Hi Bill,
On a recent dive on a reef near a group of small islands known as the Noises in the Hauraki Gulf, [northeastern New Zealand] I came across large numbers of nudibranchs. The vast majority were Ceratosoma amoena (see separate message) but there were also many Dendrodoris denisoni. The size and colour ranges were quite marked and I have included pictures of two examples. The depth range was between 7 and 20 metres and the habitat sponge and kelp covered rock. The animal in the upper photo was approx 7cm long, and the one in the second photo, 10cm. There were larger examples which would not fit into my framer (1:2). I also saw a few Aphelodoris luctuosa but I was unable to get decent shots.
Mark Burnett

mburnett@actrix.gen.nz

Burnett, M., 2003 (Feb 21) Dendrodoris denisoni from New Zealand. [Message in] Sea Slug Forum. Australian Museum, Sydney. Available from http://www.seaslugforum.net/find/9212

Thanks Mark,
Ii is good to get photos showing this sort of variation. This species is very widespread in both the tropical and more temperate Indo-West Pacific and shows considerable colour variation. By coincidence I am also posting a message today about this species from South Korea. It would certainly be an interesting exercise to compare the DNA of specimens from all parts of its geographic range. Without a radula, or clear anatomcal differences, there is no other way to test whether Dendrodoris denisoni is indeed one species or a complex of many species.
Best wishes,
Bill Rudman

Rudman, W.B., 2003 (Feb 21). Comment on Dendrodoris denisoni from New Zealand by Mark Burnett. [Message in] Sea Slug Forum. Australian Museum, Sydney. Available from http://www.seaslugforum.net/find/9212

Factsheet

Dendrodoris denisoni

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