Lobiger cf. souverbii from Japan

November 6, 2001
From: Nishina Masayoshi

Dr.Rudman,
I attached photos of Lobiger souverbii for your species list. This is a one of common species in Hachijo Island but it is not common in Sagami Bay. This animal is a small juvenile but it will be grow up to more then 15mm or more in Hachijo.

Location: Hachijo Island Japan, 21 October 2001. Depth: 7m, Length: 5mm

Photo by Nishina Chikako

Best Regards,
Nishina Masayoshi

nishina@wips.co.jp

Nishina, M., 2001 (Nov 6) Lobiger cf. souverbii from Japan. [Message in] Sea Slug Forum. Australian Museum, Sydney. Available from http://www.seaslugforum.net/find/5569

Dear Nishina & Chikako,
Thanks for these nice photos. In an earlier message I have discussed the relationship between Lobiger souverbii and Lobiger viridis. As far as I can determine Lobiger souverbii was described from Caribbean animals so it is unlikely to be in Japan unless there is one circumglobal species. Unfortunately, like many Caribbean opisthobranchs, we know little about Lobiger from that part of the world, but I think it differs from Indo-West Pacific animals in not having secondary branches on the four parapodial extensions whicih wrap over the shell. Your photos of juveniles clearly show small branches along the edge of the parapodial extensions. I presume that in larger animals these will become longer, and will lie rolled up except when unrolled as a defensive posture [see photos].

I may be wrong but I think Lobiger viridis is somewhat variable in colour, sometimes having blue streaks, sometimes not. I also think that Lobiger souverbii is a distinct Caribbean species, but we will need to learn more about the Caribbean fauna before we can be sure.
Best wishes,
Bill Rudman

Rudman, W.B., 2001 (Nov 6). Comment on Lobiger cf. souverbii from Japan by Nishina Masayoshi. [Message in] Sea Slug Forum. Australian Museum, Sydney. Available from http://www.seaslugforum.net/find/5569

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