Hoplodoris bramale
Fahey & Gosliner, 2003
Order: NUDIBRANCHIA
Suborder: DORIDINA
Superfamily: EUDORIDOIDEA
Family: Dorididae
DISTRIBUTION
Known at present only from eastern Pacific coast of Costa Rica
PHOTO
Hoplodoris bramale (INB ) Costa Rica, 25 mm. long alive. Photo: T.M. Gosliner. [From Fahey & Gosliner, 2003: Fig 17E]
Hoplodoris bramale is the first record of a species of Hoplodoris from the Eastern Pacific. This species has thus far only been found on the Pacific coast of Costa Rica. It was named for its appearance, which resembles a truffle, 'tuber bramale' in Latin. Hoplodoris bramale has large, rounded tubercles. The coloration is complex and variegated, with the ground color light to medium mottled brown or tan. It is most similar in appearance to Hoplodoris grandiflora with both species having no distinct central oval of color. Both species also have brown rhinophores with white tips and a raised rhinophore sheath. Both species also have feathery, light brown or tan gill leaves. It's the internal anatomy that varies considerably between the two species, particularly the reproductive anatomy. Hoplodoris bramale has two armed accessory glands while H. grandiflora has one gland. The radular morphology also differs between the two species.
See Shireen Fahey's message for a comment on the genus.
Reference:
• Fahey, S. J. & Gosliner, T. M. (2003) Mistaken identities: On the Discodorididae genera Hoplodoris Bergh, 1880 and Carminodoris Bergh, 1889 (Opisthobranchia, Nudibranchia). Proceedings of the California Academy of Sciences, 54(10): 169-208.
Fahey, S. J., 2003 (October 13) Hoplodoris bramale Fahey & Gosliner, 2003. [In] Sea Slug Forum. Australian Museum, Sydney. Available from http://www.seaslugforum.net/factsheet/hoplbram
