Melanochlamys diomedea? from Sth Korea
May 23, 2005
From: Dong Bum Koh
Dear Bill,
Here are some photos of what is perhaps a juvenile form of Philinopsis gigliolii. But I'm not sure. Please let me know about this animal?
Locality: Sung San Beach. Jeju. Sth Korea. Depth: 8 m.Length: 20 mm. 19 May 2005. Rocky bottom. Photographer: Sang Yul Shin
Best regards,
Dong Bum Koh
drkoh@seasee.co.kr
D.B. Koh, 2005 (May 23) Melanochlamys diomedea? from Sth Korea. [Message in] Sea Slug Forum. Australian Museum, Sydney. Available from http://www.seaslugforum.net/find/13847Dear Koh,
This is quite interesting. I am pretty sure this is a species of Melanochlamys. If it were Philinopsis then there would be a distinct pointed median 'crest' on the posterior border of the head shield. I would also expect the the posterior funnel at the posterior end of the body to be large and more flared.
Sang Yul Shin's photos look very like Baba's drawing of Melanochlamys ezoensis from northern Japan. In recent messages [#13670, #13694] we have examples of a black form of Melanochlamys from the north-west part of Sea of Japan, which Russian workers consider merges into a less pigmented from like yours, which they consider is Melanochlamys diomedea.
I suspect your animal is a mottled form of Melanochlamys diomedea. If so, this find extends it distribution a long way down the north western Pacific. If anyone has photos of Nth American examples of M diomedea to share with us, I would be very grateful.
Best wishes,
Bill Rudman
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