Cuthona sibogae from Indian Ocean (Mayotte Island)

March 18, 2009
From: Sandrine et Hugues Flodrops

Concerning message #1529:

Dear Bill,
Here is an aeolid which we think is Cuthona sibogae. Can you explain what are the differences between Cuthona and Flabellina. Thanks again for your forum.

Locality: Boulevard des Platax (Passe en S), 19 metres, Mayotte Island, Indian Ocean, 2 March 2009, PM. Length: 25 mm. Photographer: Hugues Flodrops.

Regards.
Sandrine et Hugues

hugues.flodrops@wanadoo.fr

Flodrops,H., 2009 (Mar 18) Cuthona sibogae from Indian Ocean (Mayotte Island). [Message in] Sea Slug Forum. Australian Museum, Sydney. Available from http://www.seaslugforum.net/find/22317

Dear Sandrine and Hugues,

Yes this does appear to be Cuthona sibogae, which from records on the Forum has a wide distribution on both the Indian and western Pacific Oceans. Aeolids are quite difficult to identify - even to family - from their external characters. We used to think that the arrangement of the cerata in vertical rows and arches etc could be used, but we now know that such characters have evolved more than once in different phylogenetic groups. The genus Flabellina is a good example, with species showing quite different ceratal arrangements. I am afraid a good look at the internal anatomy is usually required to be sure. In this case the radula ribbon of species of Cuthona consist of a many rows, each containing just a single median tooth. In species of Flabellina there is usually a tooth on each side of the central tooth, and in some species there are three to five flanking teeth.

Best wishes,
Bill Rudman

Rudman, W.B., 2009 (Mar 18). Comment on Cuthona sibogae from Indian Ocean (Mayotte Island) by Sandrine et Hugues Flodrops. [Message in] Sea Slug Forum. Australian Museum, Sydney. Available from http://www.seaslugforum.net/find/22317

Factsheet

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