Tamanovalva cf. corallensis
(Hedley, 1920)

Order: SACOGLOSSA
Superfamily: OXYNOOIDEA
Family: Juliidae

PHOTO

From Caulerpa racemosa washings inner reef flat, near Blue Pools, Heron Island, Great Barrier Reef, QLD., June 1983. Shells 3-4mm long. Inset showing protoconch from the inside of right valve. PHOTOS: Bill Rudman.

Looks identical to Tamanovalva limax Kawaguti & Baba 1959 from Japan but further comparative studies will need to be done on these fascinating animals. The lower two photos show the remarkable similarity in colour and shape of the shell profile that these animals have to the 'bubbles' of the Caulerpa these animals live and feed on.

See also Tamanovalva babai from southern Australia.

Reference:
• Hedley, C. (1920) Concerning Edentellina. Proceedings of the Malacological Society of London, 14(2-3): 74-76.

Authorship details
Rudman, W.B., 2001 (October 18) Tamanovalva cf. corallensis (Hedley, 1920). [In] Sea Slug Forum. Australian Museum, Sydney. Available from http://www.seaslugforum.net/factsheet/tamacfcora1