Re: new species for the Netherlands????

August 9, 2000
From: Peter H. van Bragt

Hallo Bill and Lucas,

The determination has been confirmed by Bernard Picton and Rob Dekker. It is indeed Hermaea bifida. I have attached some more pictures of this particular individual. After it was collected it produced a very typical smell. I would describe it as being very strong, unpleasant and acidic. First I thought that the smell came from the plastic food container, in which it was brought to me, and due to possibly remaining food smells. But know I understand that H. bifida can produce this extrme and unpleasant smell. The specimen on the videograph was found on July 30, 2000 at the Zeelandbrug, Oosterschelde, the Netherlands.
The enclosed pictures are from this specimen, which is the same as the one on the videograph that was send earlier.

Today I received a message from some other divers with photographic proof that at the same location two days earlier the same species was found. It is not clear if it is the same animal or if more indivuduals are present. If I get permission from the person who made these pictures I will send them to you as well.

The last couple of years we have found new or rare species of nudibranchs in Dutch coastal waters, and in most cases more than one individual was spotted.

With greetings from the Netherlands,

Peter H. van Bragt

vanbragt.phjm@hsbrabant.nl

van Bragt, P.H., 2000 (Aug 9) Re: new species for the Netherlands????. [Message in] Sea Slug Forum. Australian Museum, Sydney. Available from http://www.seaslugforum.net/find/2855

Dear Peter,
I am always a bit hesitant about attempting to identify Atlantic species, so I am glad I didn't lead you astray. Not that it will make me any more confident in trying to identify large flat dorids however.

You can clearly see the enrolled rhinophores anf the branching digestive gland duct in the cerata. I am intrigued by the acid smell. Does anyone know if the chemistry of the secretion has been studied? I seems like it might be an interesting story.

Best wishes,
Bill Rudman.

Rudman, W.B., 2000 (Aug 9). Comment on Re: new species for the Netherlands???? by Peter H. van Bragt. [Message in] Sea Slug Forum. Australian Museum, Sydney. Available from http://www.seaslugforum.net/find/2855

Factsheet

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