Elysia grandifolia
Kelaart, 1858

Order: SACOGLOSSA
Superfamily: ELYSIOIDEA
Family: Elysiidae

DISTRIBUTION

Indian Ocean?

Described by Kelaart from Ceylon, (Sri Lanka), it is very similar in colour to Elysia ornata. It is possibly the same species, but I think there are probably good grounds for considering it distinct. It grows to a very large size, 10cm or more, the parapodia are large and very thin, and the black and orange bands at the edge of the parapodia are not separated by white. I suspect that Elysia ornata and E. grandifolia are part of a group of similarly coloured species which need closer examination.

See Kathe Jensen's message for a discussion on the taxonomy confusion surrounding this and similarly coloured species.

Reference:
• Kelaart, E.F. (1858). Description of new and little known species of Ceylon nudibranchiate molluscs and zoophytes. Journal of the Ceylon Branch of the Royal Asiatic Society,
Columbo, 3(1): 84-139.

Authorship details
Rudman, W.B., 2001 (November 19) Elysia grandifolia Kelaart, 1858. [In] Sea Slug Forum. Australian Museum, Sydney. Available from http://www.seaslugforum.net/factsheet/elysgran

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