Trapania aureopunctata? from Bali
November 16, 1998
From: Michael Miller
Note added 12 March 2008: This species has been named Trapania armilla .
Bill,
As a result of a recent posting on your site, I suspect the attached Trapania pic is probably that of Trapania aureopunctata. If so, it might represent a significant range extension based on the distribution information posted as the animal was photographed / collected at Tulamben, Bali, Indonesia during a recent trip. Please feel free to post the image on your site with any comments.
Mike
Happy slugging,
Michael Miller
mdmiller@cts.com
Miller, M.D., 1998 (Nov 16) Trapania aureopunctata? from Bali. [Message in] Sea Slug Forum. Australian Museum, Sydney. Available from http://www.seaslugforum.net/find/310Dear Mike,
If it is Trapania aureopunctata then you are correct in saying there would be a significant range extension.
My only record of Trapania aureopunctata is from Sydney, New South Wales. Normally I wouldn't have named the animal as a new species on a single specimen but in the context of reviewing all the known species, it was clearly distinct.
What I didn't know was whether it was a temperate species endemic to southern Australia, or a tropical species visiting Sydney with the help of some warm currents from the tropical north.
The one difference I can notice in your animal is the dark band on the oral tentacles. Perhaps my specimen was too small to show the detail. One character which would help is the radula. If you have the specimen and would be willing to let me cut it up I could have a look at the tooth morphology.
Best wishes,
Bill Rudman.
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