Geitodoris planata
(Alder & Hancock, 1846)

Order: NUDIBRANCHIA
Suborder: DORIDINA
Superfamily: EUDORIDOIDEA
Family: Dorididae

PHOTO

UPPER: Showing starlike (stellate) pattern of mantle glands - Rathlin O'Birne Is., Co Donegal, Ireland - April 1982. Photo: B.E. Picton.
LOWER: Bassin d'Arcachon, south-west Atlantic coast of France, near Bordeaux. Size 40 mm, depth 5 m, May 26, 1999. Photo: Michel Barrabés.

Characterised externally by a row of star-shaped whitish patches down each side of the mantle from behind the rhinophores to the gills.

Archidoris pseudoargus is often confused with another large dorid Geitodoris planata. As discussed below by a number of participants there are a number of distinguishing features. Unfortunately they are more apparent in the field than in photos. Geitodoris planata can be distinguished from Archidoris pseudoargus by the light coloured stellate patterns on the mantle (acid glands), and also by the more flattened shape. The underside of the animal is also important with Geitodoris planata having brown spots on the mantle, and conspicous oral tentacles, both characters lacking in Archidoris pseudoargus. In living animals there is a difference in texture, Geitodoris being crisper, harder and flatter.

Reference:
• Thompson, T.E. & Brown, G.H. (1976) Biology of Opisthobranch Moluscs. Vol 2. Ray Society: London.
• Cervera, J.L., Garcia-Gomez, J. & Garcia, F.J. (1985) Redescription of Geitodoris planata (Alder & Hancock, 1846). Journal of Molluscan Studies, 51: 198-204.

Authorship details
Rudman, W.B., 2000 (August 26) Geitodoris planata (Alder & Hancock, 1846). [In] Sea Slug Forum. Australian Museum, Sydney. Available from http://www.seaslugforum.net/factsheet/geitplan

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