Berthella africana
(Pruvot-Fol, 1953)

Order: NOTASPIDEA
Superfamily: PLEUROBRANCHOIDEA
Family: Pleurobranchidae

PHOTO

UPPER: Original water colours by Helene Gantes - Pruvot-Fol, 1953, Plate 3, figs 49, 50.
LOWER: Gran Canaria, Canary Islands. Size: 5cm, Depth: 12m, March 2002. Arthur J. Telle.

Pruvot-Fol's description based on preserved specimens from Morocco, contains no worthwhile anatomical information and the colour of the living animal is based on the two paintings reproduced here.

See also Pleurobranchus caledonicus.

  • Cervera, J.L., Gosliner, T.M., Garcia-Gomez, J.C., & Ortea, J.A. . (2000) A new species of Berthella Blainville, 1824 (Opisthobranchia: Notaspidea) from the Canary Islands eastern Atlantic Ocean), with a re-examination of the phylogenetic relationships of the Notaspidea. Journal of Molluscan Studies, 66: 301-311.
  • Pruvot-Fol, A. (1953) Etude de quelques opisthobranches de la cote Atlantique du Maroc et du Senegal. Travaux de l'Institute Scientifique Cherifien, Zoologie, 5: 1-105. (Pls. 1-3)
Authorship details
Rudman, W.B., 2002 (September 4) Berthella africana (Pruvot-Fol, 1953). [In] Sea Slug Forum. Australian Museum, Sydney. Available from http://www.seaslugforum.net/find/bertafri

Related messages


Re: Berthella africana? from Canary Islands

September 5, 2002
From: Juan Lucas Cervera

Dear Erwin and Bill,
Yes, this species is Berthella africana. This species was erected by Pruvot-Fol (1953) as Berthellina, but later Gantes (1956) explain the confusion that happened and transferred the species to Berthella.

You can find a more detailed history of the problem in Cervera et al (2000). J.Moll. Stud., 66: 3001-311.
Regards.
Lucas.

lucas.cervera@uca.es

Cervera, J.L., 2002 (Sep 5) Re: Berthella africana? from Canary Islands. [Message in] Sea Slug Forum. Australian Museum, Sydney. Available from http://www.seaslugforum.net/find/7804

Thanks Lucas,
It would be interesting to have a photo of your Berthella canariensis on the Forum for comparison. I have included scans of the original paintings included in Pruvot-Fol's original description on the Fact Sheet.
Bill Rudman

Berthella africana? from Canary Islands

August 16, 2002
From: Erwin Köhler

Dear Bill,
Here is one more from Gran Canaria, Canary Islands. Arthur J. Telle (Email arturo@spain-service.com) labels it Berthella africana, can you confirm this ID?

Size: 5cm
Depth: 12m
March 2002

Erwin

Erwin@medslugs.de

Köhler, E., 2002 (Aug 16) Berthella africana? from Canary Islands. [Message in] Sea Slug Forum. Australian Museum, Sydney. Available from http://www.seaslugforum.net/find/7747

Dear Erwin,
I can't find a reference to Berthella africana. Perhaps Lucas Cervera will be able to help us out
Cheers,
Bill Rudman