What is Bornella japonica?

Dear Mike,
This is another of the many little puzzles that still need to be sorted out. Have a look at my discussion on the 'differences' between the two species at the top of this page. Basically Dr Baba considered they were the same in colour but differed in a number of external and internal features. For example B. stellifer has about 6 pairs of dorsolateral processes while B. japonica has 3. What we need to see is some more photos of Bornella to see if these differences in similar sized animals are consistent. When you look at websites you should realise that the identifications are not always correct - so photos you have seen identified as B. japonica may in fact be B. stellifer. It doesn't necessarily mean that B. japonica is not a good species, but until we see some good photos which fit Baba's description we cannot be sure. There is one photo I have seen on Japanese website by Hideyuki Takasu which is identified as B. japonica and fits Baba's description in having only 3 pairs of dorso-lateral processes. Unfortunately it is not clear enough to see other details. It is at http://homepage2.nifty.com/nudibranchs/e/umiusi/n_dendronotina/yamato.html

Perhaps you would like to send some information on you and your work for the Participants List.
Best wishes,
Bill Rudman