Glossodoris averni ? from Bass Point (NSW)

August 23, 2001
From: Des Paroz

Hi Bill
Dived this morning (19 August 2001) at The Gutter, Bass Point (near Shellharbour, New South Wales). I spotted a small (20mm) nudi in about 15m or so and stopped to have a second look. It was sitting on rocky reef under the shade of some kelp fronds. My first thought was that it was a Glossodoris angasi, but on closer inspection, I realised that the colouration was wrong.

As I said, it was about 20mm in length, and looked like it was not fully developed (e.g. length of rhinopores out of proportion to body). It has a pure white body, with red-orange coloured gills and rhinopores. The edge of the mantle was a light purple coloured line all the way around.

Other than that it had no markings that I could determine. Looking at various books, the closest species I can see is a Glossodoris averni (which fits with my initial thoughts of it being a Glossodoris). However, I am really not sure, and it could easily have been a chromodorid. If it was a G. averni, it did not have the folds that are evident in Akos' photo, but as I said, I believe this one to have been a juvenile. Water temp was 18C.

I've tried to be as detailed as I could without the benefit of my camera (strobes are being serviced). Could this be a G. averni, or do you have any other thoughts? One other possibility is that it is Noumea simplex. has it been found in southern New South Wales?

Best regards
Des Paroz

des@paroz.com

Paroz, D., 2001 (Aug 23) Glossodoris averni ? from Bass Point (NSW). [Message in] Sea Slug Forum. Australian Museum, Sydney. Available from http://www.seaslugforum.net/find/5110

Dear Des,
I must start by saying that it is very difficult identify an animal without a photo or a specimen. I can't think of anything that fits well. Orange rhinophores and gills and a purple mantle border are not a pattern that immediately springs to mind. Despite that it has given me the impetus to add another species to the Forum and improve the Glossodoris angasi page so I won't complain. I suggest G. angasi because the mantle border in that species ranges in colour from dark brown or black to a pale pinkish or orange-brown.

I have added information on Diversidoris aurantionodulosa because it has orange gills and rhinophores. It is another of the white chromodorids with yellow or orange borders.

Another possibility is Digidentis perplexa which has a purple border and orange markings on the gills and rhinophores. It does of course have orange marks on the mantle so doesn't really fit either. Basically without a photo or even a drawing I am lost.
Best wishes,
Bill Rudman

Factsheet

Diversidoris aurantionodulosa

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