Archidoris from southern Tasmania

April 24, 1998
From: Karen Parsons

Hi Bill,
I have attached a photo of an unusual (??) nudibranch found in a dredge off southern Tasmania recently. It was found by a group who have dredged in the region for many years, but have not seen this species previously (although this may not be significant). I have sent a copy of the photo to Karen Gowlett Holmes, who works for CSIRO but is currently in SA, since she was recommended as the internal person with the most knowledge in this area. However, I thought I would send you a copy, since this is your specialty, to see if you are familiar with the beast (which is quite large; approximately 15 cm long). I realise that a photo alone may not be sufficient to make a positive ID, but any ideas would still be greatly appreciated.

Karen Parsons
CSIRO Marine Labs
Hobart, Tasmania

Karen.Parsons@marine.csiro.au

Parsons, K., 1998 (Apr 24) Archidoris from southern Tasmania. [Message in] Sea Slug Forum. Australian Museum, Sydney. Available from http://www.seaslugforum.net/find/34

Your beast looks like Archidoris wellingtonensis (Abraham, 1877) which occurs throughout New Zealand and is reported from Tasmania and Victoria. It grows to over 100mm and is usually a duller khaki brown but sometimes is more orange or yellow. It is usually found from intertidal to 20m. I'm not sure how deep you specimen was found but even it was deeper than 20m I see no reason why it couldn't live as deep as its food sponges, such as Hymeniacidon, are found ..Bill Rudman.

Rudman, W.B., 1998 (Apr 24). Comment on Archidoris from southern Tasmania by Karen Parsons. [Message in] Sea Slug Forum. Australian Museum, Sydney. Available from http://www.seaslugforum.net/find/34

Factsheet

Archidoris wellingtonensis

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