Aldisa albatrossae from Lembeh
September 25, 2007
From: Sean Kearney
Dear Bill,
I just returned from another great trip to Lembeh. I will post other slugs as time permits. For now I need help confirming the id of this beautiful specimen. It appears to be quite similar to Aldisa albatrossae. I do see some differences from the description in Bob Bolland's message [#10828] and from the related messages. The black pattern does not seem to meet behind the gill pocket, and the mantle edge is lighter than the rest of the dorsum. The largest tubercles seem to be isolated in the saddle, with the smallest within the black pattern and at the edge of the mantle. The color was green not blue. I would appreciate your help with an i.d.. As always, thanks for your great forum.
Locality: Lembeh Strait, 8 ft, North Sulawesi, Celebes Sea, 11 September 2007, Coral rubble. Length: 3/4 inch. Photographer: Sean Kearney.
Sean Kearney
skearney@dc.rr.com
Dear Sean,
What makes the Forum great are the contributors - so I return your thanks. When new species are described the description is are usually based on a small sample of the total population so we don't always have a good idea about all colour variations such as the ones you describe. Interestingly, in the original description, a colour painting is included of a specimen collected on the 1907-1910 Albatross Expedition to the Philippines - which is why the species is named 'albatrossae' [ middle right image is a copy of the painting]. That specimen has the same greenish background as your photos, and like your animal it lacks the black pigment behind the gills. I have no hesitation in identifying your animal as A. albatrossae.
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Elwood, H.R., Valdés, Á., & Gosliner, T.M. (2000) Two new species of Aldisa Bergh, 1878 (Mollusca, Nudibranchia) from the Tropical Indo-Pacific. Proceedings of the California Academy of Sciences, 52(14): 171-181, 5 figs.
Best wishes,
Bill Rudman
Related messages
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Aldisa albatrossae from Okinawa
From: Bob Bolland, September 7, 2003
