Dendrodoris albopurpura from South Australia
February 22, 2000
From: Stuart Hutchison
Dear Bill,
Here is Dendrodoris albopurpura - our first sighting at Edithburgh [South Australia] in 5 Years. Seen on Sunday just past (30 Jan 00). The animal was about three inches long [approx 75mm] and was found hiding under a piece of wood with two eggmasses in about 3m of water.
Regards,
Stuart Hutchison
hutchco@tpg.com.au
Hutchison, S., 2000 (Feb 22) Dendrodoris albopurpura from South Australia. [Message in] Sea Slug Forum. Australian Museum, Sydney. Available from http://www.seaslugforum.net/find/1825Dear Stuart,
Thanks for the photo and especially the egg mass. We can't be 100% sure that the eggs were produced by D. albopurpura unless the animal is caught in the act but it's a good start.
Your photo also gave me the opportunity to correct an error. I have previously called this animal D. albobrunnea Allan, 1933. However Allan specifically states that in that species the mantle is smooth with no tubercles so it can't be this animal. On the other hand Burn's description specifically mentions 'blister-like pustules capped with a purple spot.' Burn's name is usually written 'albopurpurea' but in the original description it is 'albopurpura'.
Best wishes,
Bill Rudman.
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