Re: Dendrodoris denisoni or D. gunnamatta

November 12, 2009
From: Atkinson, L. & D.

Concerning message #2588:

Hi Bill,
David found these Dendrodoris mating. One is our typical Dendrodoris denisoni and the other is the less commonly seen colour form that is sometimes referred to as Dendrodoris gunnamatta. We thought these photos of them mating might add to the discussion as to whether they are distinct species or just different colour forms of the same species. The sea had been quite stirred up with the northeast wind and several dive schools had been through so there is a bit of sand over them and we didn't clean them up because we didn't want to disturb.

Locality: Fly Point, Port Stephens-Great Lakes Marine Park, Port Stephens , 8 metres, New South Wales, Australia, Pacific Ocean, 08 November 2009, Sandy silty bottom with sponges, ascidians, gorgonias, soft corals, hydroids and seaweed. Length: approximately 80 mm. Photographer: Leanne and David Atkinson.

Regards
Leanne & David Atkinson

atk@hunterlink.net.au

Atkinson, L. & D., 2009 (Nov 12) Re: Dendrodoris denisoni or D. gunnamatta. [Message in] Sea Slug Forum. Australian Museum, Sydney. Available from http://www.seaslugforum.net/find/22773

Dear Leanne and David,

Thanks for these interesting photos. As I have discussed elswehere on this page I have always considered D. gunnamatta to be a colour form of D. denisoni but short of DNA studies there is little anatomically to help differentiate them. I guess mating is the supreme DNA test so thanks again! I guess we should wait until fertile offspring are produced but I tend to believe the view that physical and/or behavioural barriers to mating have evolved between related species.

It is interesting that both names refer to animals from Sydney - D. denisoni from the cleaner waters of Sydney Harbour and D. gunnamatta from the sheltered, muddy waters of Gunnamatta Bay, Port Hacking.

Best wishes,
Bill Rudman

Rudman, W.B., 2009 (Nov 12). Comment on Re: Dendrodoris denisoni or D. gunnamatta by Atkinson, L. & D.. [Message in] Sea Slug Forum. Australian Museum, Sydney. Available from http://www.seaslugforum.net/find/22773

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Dendrodoris denisoni

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