Kaloplocamus acutus
Baba, 1949

Order: NUDIBRANCHIA
Suborder: DORIDINA
Superfamily: ANADORIDOIDEA
Family: Polyceridae
Subfamily: Triophinae

DISTRIBUTION

Previously known only from a few Japanese records, there are published records from Hong Kong and eastern Australia (New South Wales to the northern Great Barrier Reef). I have found it also in New Caledonia.

PHOTO

Solitary Islands, Coffs Harbour region, New South Wales, March 1988. PHOTOS: Bill Rudman.

The head shield or veil is not as pronounced as in Plocamopherus but the six branched papillae are much longer when extended. There are four branched papillae down each side of the body and a slight ridge between them denotes the mantle edge. The body ranges in colour from pale yellow-orange to a deep orange red. The branched papillae have translucent white stalks with some scattered opaque white pigmentation, and the pointed branches are bright orange or orange-red. There are scattered white specks on the body. Unlike Plocamopherus the papillae do not have a terminal sphere. This species, which can grow to 25 mm in length, probably feeds on bryozoans.

Reference:
• Rudman, W.B. & Darvell, B.W. (1990) Opisthobranch molluscs of Hong Kong. Part 1. Goniodorididae, Onchidorididae, Triophidae, Gymnodorididae, Chromodorididae, (Nudibranchia). Asian Marine Biology, 7: 31-79

Authorship details
Rudman, W.B., 2001 (July 5) Kaloplocamus acutus Baba, 1949 . [In] Sea Slug Forum. Australian Museum, Sydney. Available from http://www.seaslugforum.net/factsheet/kaloacut

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