Re: Are these all Ceratosoma amoena?

August 12, 2000
From: Des Paroz

Hi Bill

Concerning my recent photos. All 3 were taken in New South Wales, Australia.

The top-most photo (long pink bodied nudi) was taken at Nelson Bay, Port Stephens, New South Wales in January.

The bottom-left shot (rounder pinkish body) was taken at Bare Island, Sydney, New South Wales.

The bottom-right picture (shorter, whiter body) was taken on one of the Islands off Wollongong, New South Wales.

The body colour variations I kind of expect, but 2 things picqued my interest
- The shape of the bottom left nudi being quite different to the other two (even though its colourations were closer to the top one).
- The colour of the rhinopores on the top-most photo not having that white streak.

So, that's why my first instinct was that they were all examples of C. amoena, but I am intrigued about the variations if they are.

Best regards

Des

des@paroz.com

Paroz, D., 2000 (Aug 12) Re: Are these all Ceratosoma amoena?. [Message in] Sea Slug Forum. Australian Museum, Sydney. Available from http://www.seaslugforum.net/find/2863

Dear des,
Thanks for the information about the slides, and I am glad you are looking for variations and differences.

The shape is the easiest to answer. All nudibranchs can change shape, within limits. C. amoena when crawling, usually stands quite tall, with a lot of the foot visible. However, when at rest on a sponge or softer substrate, its 'posture' often collapses and it becomes a jelly-like shape, fitting in to the substrate. When it nestles into a crevice or hole its shape becomes even more irregular.

The range of colour variation within a species differs from species to species. While many species have very consistent parts to their colour pattern, such as thinophore and gill colouration, others such as C amoena show some variation. There is no easy rule of thumb. We can only be sure how variable a colour pattern can be when we study the anatomy of many animals. C. amoena shows quite a bit of colour variation but I can find no anatomical variation from New Zealand to Western Australia.

Rudman, W.B., 2000 (Aug 12). Comment on Re: Are these all Ceratosoma amoena? by Des Paroz. [Message in] Sea Slug Forum. Australian Museum, Sydney. Available from http://www.seaslugforum.net/find/2863

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