On Halgerda paliensis from Hawaii

October 16, 2001
From: Shireen Fahey

Dear Bill,
Here is some information on Halgerda paliensis, a species that Terry Gosliner and I have just placed in the genus of Halgerda. It has only been recorded from the Hawaiian Islands and was previously known as Sclerodoris paliensis although the original authors (Bertsch & Johnson, 1982)considered this a temporary placement, noting that the specimens lacked several typical Sclerodoris characters. Sure enough, when we examined several of the same specimens and others, we found typical Halgerda characters. When we put these characters into our data matrix for phylogenetic analysis, this species came out solidly as a basal member of the Halgerda genus. You would recognize this species with its typical Halgerda high body form and ridges. The ridges have prominent tubercles at their junctures, and are deeper yellow than the light yellow body color of the animal. The rhinophores are yellow with deep tan tips. The gill is light tan with white tips. There are also tiny, dark, perpendicular lines along the front of the foot and on the mantle edge.

References:
• Bertsch, H. & Johnson, S. (1982) Three new species of dorid nudibranchs (Gastropoda: Opisthobranchia) from the Hawaiian Islands. The Veliger, 24(3): 208-218.
• Fahey, S.J. & Gosliner, T.M. (2001) The phylogeny of Halgerda (Opisthobranchia, Nudibranchia) with the description of a new species from Okinawa. Zoologica Scripta, 30(3), 199-213.

Best wishes,
Shireen

sfahey@mailbox.uq.edu.au

Fahey, S., 2001 (Oct 16) On Halgerda paliensis from Hawaii. [Message in] Sea Slug Forum. Australian Museum, Sydney. Available from http://www.seaslugforum.net/find/5479

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