Re: Identification of an Elysia from Hong Kong

Dear Cynthia,

Thanks very much for passing this on. Following old references can open a can of worms! I am not sure just what status Hirase's description has in nomenclature. Although Baba (1949) refers to Hirase (1927) I think what Baba describes in 1949 is as far back as we can go in nomenclatural terms. Both Hirase (1927) and Baba (1949) identify the animal [incorrectly] as Elysia viridis Montagu.

In Baba (1955) where he gives the species a new name - E. hirasei - he makes it clear that not all the illustrations identified as E. viridis in 1949 are his new species E. hirasei. He specifically lists a colour painting Plate VIII fig 25 (non fig 26) and a Text Fig 24 as representing E. hirasei Baba n.n.

It has the characteristic black markings on the 'neck' as illustrated on the Fact Sheet, but on looking at his Text Fig 24 of the radula with my naked eye the teeth appear non-denticulate, although fine denticulations are described in the text. Your copy of Hirase's made me curious so I examined Baba's illustration with a magnifying glass and sure enough there are very fine denticulations visible. I must say it's a bit of a trap when you need to read a book with a microscope!

Fortunately Baba specifically excludes Plate VIII  fig 26 which shows a species with a blue tip to the tail and blue tips to the rhinophores which places it right in the middle of the E. abei - E. amakusana confusion.

Thanks for these illustrations Cynthia. It is nice to be able to identify one of these Elysia species with confidence.

Best wishes,
Bill Rudman