Phidiana militaris? from Senegal
July 1, 2003
From: Marina Poddubetskaia
Dear Bill,
Here are 2 specimens of what I think is Phidiana militaris from Dakar. I was really surprised to find this Indo-West Pacific species here, in Atlantic waters. But all distinctive characteristics seem to fit this ID : orange lines on the head and on each side of the foot are present. I have added the third photo because it is the only one which allows to see the characteristic line on the foot.
Bill, have a close look at Patrice Petit de Voize's earlier photo. We identified it as Berghia verrucicornis. In fact, now I'm quite sure it is the same species as this one!
Upper Photo: Dakar, Senegal, Eastern Atlantic. Site: Banc du Seminole, Depth: 26m, Size: 35-40mm. May 27, 2003. Other Photos: Dakar, Senegal, Eastern Atlantic. Site: Medoun., Depth: 34m., Size: 40-45mm. June 06, 2003. Photos: Marina Poddubetskaia - Nembro website
Best wishes,
Marina.
nembro@nembro.info
Dear Marina,
Although it has colour similarities to Phidiana militaris, in particular the median orange line that forks on the head, there are differences. In P. militaris the colour pattern includes red-orange and yellow. While the longitudinal lines are red-orange, the tips of the oral tentacles, rhinophores and cerata are yellow. There is also a yellow median line on the posterior part of the foot. There are also blue markings on the cerata. Also the rhinophores are smooth while in your animal the wrinkles on the rhinophores appear to be permanent not just the result of rhinophore contraction.
However the only way to be sure would be to look at its anatomy. The arrangement of the cerata is certainly typical of a glaucid genus like Phidiana so I'll give it a temporary home as Phidiana sp. 1, though its anatomy might say otherwise. AS you suggest, its probable that Patrice's photo is of the same species. It is an interesting find
Best wishes,
Bill Rudman
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Berghia verrucicornis from Senegal
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