Re: Chromodoris cavae from Reunion Island?

May 4, 2007
From: Philibert Bidgrain


Concerning message #19851:

Dear Bill,
Colour morphs of Chromodoris cavae from Reunion Island

I found on a rocky coast 5 specimens of this species. The size ranges from  20-25 mm lower photo] to 45 mm [upper photo]. We can observed some colour variation on the mantle coloration.

Do you think that all these specimens are C. cavae? What's the external difference between C. cavae and C. tennentana?

Locality: Etang salé, Less 1 m, Réunion Island, Indian océan, Rocky coast. Length: 20 to 45 mm. Photographer: Philibert Bidgrain.

Philibert Bidgrain
http://vieoceane.free.fr/runseaslug/indexslug.htm

pbidgrain@yahoo.fr

Bidgrain, P., 2007 (May 4) Re: Chromodoris cavae from Reunion Island?. [Message in] Sea Slug Forum. Australian Museum, Sydney. Available from http://www.seaslugforum.net/find/19869

Dear Philibert,
Yes I agree this is a colour form of C. cavae. The orange spots surrounded by a whitish ring are an interesting example of how black and dark purple pigments in a number of chromodorids can be replaced by an orange-brown colour at times. This is a valuable complement to your messages #19868 and # 19870.

I have discussed  C. cavae and C. tennentana in a separate messages [#19876; #19875]. Because of the great variability in colour in C. cavae comparisons between the two species is difficult, but the rhinophore and gill colours is quite distinct. In C. tennentana the rhinophore club is brownish to reddish brown with a white tip and the gills are usually a dark brown, sometimes with white spots. In C. cavae the rhinophores and gills are white with pale purple tips, but as I discuss, in southern specimens the purple can be more dominant. 

Best wishes,
Bill Rudman

Rudman, W.B., 2007 (May 4). Comment on Re: Chromodoris cavae from Reunion Island? by Philibert Bidgrain. [Message in] Sea Slug Forum. Australian Museum, Sydney. Available from http://www.seaslugforum.net/find/19869

Factsheet

Chromodoris cavae

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