Re: Unknown from the Caribbean

October 20, 2000
From: Kathe R. Jensen

Dear Phanor & Bill,

I am almost certain that this species is a sacoglossan of the genus Hermaea. The rhinophores appear to have a small "knob" subterminally, indicating that the rolled part of the rhinophores ends here. In the Caribbean there are 2 possibilities: H. cruciata Gould, 1870, which has been recorded from the east coast of North America to Florida, and H. coirala Marcus, 1955, described from Brazil. H. cruciata has exactly the pale "cross-like" glands at the tips of the cerata as shown in these photos, but usually there are distinct, pink tubules of the digestive gland in the cerata as well as in the body. The colouration of H. coirala was described as transparent with brownish digestive gland. I think there is a good possibility the two names are one and the same species, the brown or pale colouration indicating starvation.

Best wishes,
Kathe

jensen@ait.ac.th

Jensen, K.R., 2000 (Oct 20) Re: Unknown from the Caribbean . [Message in] Sea Slug Forum. Australian Museum, Sydney. Available from http://www.seaslugforum.net/find/3213

Thanks Kathe,
I hope its name turns out to be 'cruciata', it would be most appropriate.
Bill Rudman.

Factsheet

Hermaea cf. cruciata

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  1. Re: Unknown from the Caribbean
    From: Juan Lucas Cervera, October 20, 2000
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    From: Phanor Montoya, October 19, 2000

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