Re: Hypselodoris bayeri ? from Bonaire

Dear Ellen,

Thanks for this valuable observation. This animal belongs to a somewhat confusing group of species which are still not sorted out. I think the most likely situation is that some of these 'species' were described from single specimens, which in fact represented colour variations of just one species with a very variable colour pattern. The most obvious difference is that in some animals there are yellow-brown and blue longitudinal lines while in others the blue can be reduced to a scattering of spots and the rest of the background becomes yellow-brown. Phillip Gillette's photos [message #13022 ] give a good example showing the blue lines breaking up into spots.

I may be quite wrong, as another feature of chromodorids is that species sometimes mimic other species in appearance, so it is possible we are looking at a case of mimicry. If they are different species, then hopefully some of these colour differences can be linked to anatomical differences, but sometimes anatomical differences are too subtle to be useful. Your inclusion of an egg ribbon however is very valuable, because often egg masses can give us a clue.  Hopefully, in time, other egg ribbons, which can be identified to particular colour forms will be found. I also note in Caribbean Sea Slugs that this colour form is reported to feed on a blue sponge of the genus Dysidea. If you have any photos showing the sponge you found these animals on, it could be an interesting addition. Species of Dysidea are the usual food of species of Hypselodoris but there is always a possibility that one of the 'colour forms' of this blue-lined/blue-spotted group eats a different type of sponge.

Best wishes,
Bill Rudman