Elysia flava from the Mediterranean

June 5, 2009
From: Erwin Koehler

Concerning message #22497:

Dear Bill,
Here is a shot of Elysia flava from Italy, which increases the distribution to East Atlantic and Mediterranean Sea. The 2 white spots near the eyes are not so clear, but I think I can see them...

Locality: Punta Greca, Porto San Paolo, Sardinia Island , 3 m , Italy, Mediterranean sea, July 1996 . Length: 9 mm . Photographer: Mauro Doneddu.

Erwin Koehler

Erwin@Philippine-Sea-Slugs.com

Koehler, E., 2009 (Jun 5) Elysia flava from the Mediterranean. [Message in] Sea Slug Forum. Australian Museum, Sydney. Available from http://www.seaslugforum.net/find/22524

Dear Erwin,

Thanks for reminding me of the Mediterraean records. I think Tom Thompson was the first to record it from the Mediterrnean, but I may be wrong. I've included an enlarged version of the head and the two white spots above the eyes are clearly present. I don't know if those spots are an indication that the Pacific and Atlantic species are different but it may be worth anyone comparing the two anatomically to keep these 'eyespots' in mind as a possible external character.

  • Thompson, T. E. and A. Jaklin (1988). "Eastern Mediterranean opisthobranchia: Elysiidae (Sacoglossa = Ascoglossa). Journal of Molluscan Studies, 54: 59-69.

Best wishes,
Bill Rudman

Rudman, W.B., 2009 (Jun 5). Comment on Elysia flava from the Mediterranean by Erwin Koehler. [Message in] Sea Slug Forum. Australian Museum, Sydney. Available from http://www.seaslugforum.net/find/22524

Factsheet

Elysia flava

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