Re: Doto sp from Peter the Great Bay
February 26, 2003
From: Alexei Chernyshev
Dear Bill,
Thanks for your comments. Unfortunately, I only have this photo and brief information from Mr. Ratnikov that the nudibranch mollusk was found in the south part of Peter the Great Bay in depth about 5-7 m. Doto is a new genus for the mollusk fauna of Russian coast of the Sea of Japan and I have sent this photo to you in the hope to identify this species (if it is possible).
Sincerely yours,
Alexei Chernyshev
tsher@bio.dvgu.ru
Dear Alexei,
As I said earlier, this species certainly looks similar to the one Baba identified as Doto pita. But Doto pita is a species from the tropical west Atlantic, so it as most unlikely resident of the much cooler waters of the Sea of Japan.
I wish it were easy to identify species of Doto but they cause problems inmost parts of the world, including the North Atlantic where they have been studied for 150 years. Clearly the external shape and colour is important, but only if considered in conjunction with the internal anatomy and aspects of their natural history, such as their food preferences. Although they can be irritating to identify they are certainly an exciting group to study in depth.
Best wishes,
Bill Rudman
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