Phyllodesmium iriomotense? from the Sulawesi
February 17, 2007
From: Ken Tucker
The only photo I've seen of this species is from the Okinawa area, and it seems improbable that Phyllodesmium iriomotense is the correct identification for this photo. However, it is the closest match I've been able to make. With the exception of slight colour variation, there seems to be no noticeable difference.
Locality: Lembeh Strait - T G Kubur, 15 metres, Indonesia, Sulawesi, 27 Nov 2006. Length: 4-5 cm. Photographer: Ken Tucker.
Ken Tucker
ken@kilili.com
Tucker, K., 2007 (Feb 17) Phyllodesmium iriomotense? from the Sulawesi. [Message in] Sea Slug Forum. Australian Museum, Sydney. Available from http://www.seaslugforum.net/find/19396
Dear Ken,
The twisted cerata have some similarity to Phyllodesmium sp. 5 [and Phyll. sp. 6 and Phyll. sp. 8 which are probabably all the same] but in that species the digestive gland duct in each ceras is much thicker and is unbranched.
I agree that your animal is most probably Phyllodesmium iriomotense. Don't be too concerned about the vast distance between where you found your animal and where P. iriomotense is reported from: we still have much to learn about these animals and many species are found from southern Japan to northern Australia and even further afield. So from Okinawa to Sulawesi is not far in the grand scheme of things.
Best wishes,
Bill Rudman
Related messages
-
Re: Phyllodesmium iriomotense? from the Sulawesi
From: Pirjo Pellet, March 6, 2007 -
Locality of Phyllodesmium iriomotense
From: Bob Bolland, August 5, 1998 -
Phyllodesmium iriomotense
From: Bob Bolland, August 4, 1998
