Discodoris boholiensis from Malaysia

July 8, 2002
From: Kheong Sann Chan

Here are some more photos from Pulau Dayang off the east coast of west Malaysia. We came across this large nudi at the end of the morning dive. This one was moving like it had somewhere to be as well. It's close to a foot, maybe 25+cm long.

Location: Dayang, Dayang house reef
Upper Photo: 9 June, 0800hrs, Depth: 8m

Kheong

kschan@mail.dsi.nus.edu.sg

Chan, K.S., 2002 (Jul 8) Discodoris boholiensis from Malaysia. [Message in] Sea Slug Forum. Australian Museum, Sydney. Available from http://www.seaslugforum.net/find/7223

Dear Kheong,
This is Discodoris boholiensis, and is nNamed after Bohol Island, in the Philippines, where it was first found. It grows quite large bit I can't say I have seen one quite 25cm long. These dorids are usually hidden during the day so its fast crawling may have been because it was trying to find somewhere to hide. Of course it's little brain can't actually think about such things, but many animals that hide during the day are what is called photokinetic - that is they move quite fast when they are in the light, and stop or slow down considerably when they are in the dark. This helps to get them to a dark place, which ususally means a shaded overhang or crevice where can hide. The mantle of Discodoris boholiensis is very thin and flexible, which allows it to curl up into some very weird shapes so that it can nestle into crevices in rocks and coral colonies away from potential predators.

I have included a closeup of one rhinophore to show its characteristic shape and colour, and the bumpy texture of the mantle.
Best wishes,
Bill Rudman.

Rudman, W.B., 2002 (Jul 8). Comment on Discodoris boholiensis from Malaysia by Kheong Sann Chan. [Message in] Sea Slug Forum. Australian Museum, Sydney. Available from http://www.seaslugforum.net/find/7223

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