Re: Ercolania sp 5

May 15, 2007
From: Kathe R. Jensen

Concerning message #19445:

Dear Bill,
Reading the latest message on Ercolania sp. 5, I noticed that a couple of the messages on this species, including the one in the fact sheet, are almost certainly Ercolania coerulea. The dense branching of digestive gland, the branching into the rhinophores and the rather broad foot are distinct indications of this species.

I have no idea about the identity of the animal in the remaining messages of Ercolania sp. 5, so I guess you can keep that entry - though with a different picture for the fact sheet.

Best wishes,
Kathe

krjensen@snm.ku.dk

Jensen, K.R., 2007 (May 15) Re: Ercolania sp 5. [Message in] Sea Slug Forum. Australian Museum, Sydney. Available from http://www.seaslugforum.net/find/19873

Thanks Kathe,
I agree there appear to be 2 species on this page but my image of E. coerulea is an animal with its whole back covered with swollen cerata. The animal in the Ercolania sp. 5 Fact Sheet has elongate cerata with a wide gap in at least the front half of the body between the left and right cerata. I realise cerata can be cast off but that doesn't seem to be the case here.

Rather than tentatively rearrange the photos identified as 'Ercolania sp. 5'  I've put a note about your concerns on the Fact Sheet and hope someone will publish on the fascinating groups of lookalikes in the not too distant future

Best wishes,
Bill Rudman

Rudman, W.B., 2007 (May 15). Comment on Re: Ercolania sp 5 by Kathe R. Jensen. [Message in] Sea Slug Forum. Australian Museum, Sydney. Available from http://www.seaslugforum.net/find/19873

Factsheet

Ercolania sp. 5

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