Pleurobranchus grandis
Pease, 1868
Order: NOTASPIDEA
Superfamily: PLEUROBRANCHOIDEA
Family: Pleurobranchidae
DISTRIBUTION
Indo-West Pacific
PHOTO
UPPER: Fiji, 10m, May, 1991. Approx 20 cm long. Photo: Mary Jane Adams.
LOWER: Russell Island Group, Solomon Ids. 3 m. Photo: Bruce Potter.
This large widespread Indo-West Pacific species is quite variable in colour, ranging form almost completely dark brown to white with pale brown spots. It usually can be described as white with large elongate brown patches. Like most large species of Pleurobranchus the mantle surface consists of rounded polygonal tubercles outlines by a reticulate pattern of white. The polygons in the white region are usually tipped with a diffuse pale brown. In living specimens the posterior part of the mantle is often held erect and folded into a posteriorly facing siphon [see upper photo]. It can grow to 20cm or more.
Reference:
• Pease, W.H. (1868). Descriptions of marine Gasteropodae, inhabiting Polynesia. American Journal of Conchology, 4(2): 71-80, Pls. 7-10.
Rudman, W.B., 2001 (January 1) Pleurobranchus grandis Pease, 1868. [In] Sea Slug Forum. Australian Museum, Sydney. Available from http://www.seaslugforum.net/factsheet/pleugran
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