Cuthona anulata
(Baba, 1949)
Order: NUDIBRANCHIA
Suborder: AEOLIDINA
Family: Tergipedidae
DISTRIBUTION
Japan
PHOTO
Echizen coast, Fukui prif. Japan, 3 Aug 2002, Lengh: 6mm, Depth: 4m Photo: Nishina Masayoshi
Reference:
• Baba, K (1949) Opisthobranchia of Sagami Bay collected by His Majesty The Emperor of Japan. Iwanami Shoten, Tokyo. 194pp., 50 Pls.
Rudman, W.B., 2002 (August 11) Cuthona anulata (Baba, 1949). [In] Sea Slug Forum. Australian Museum, Sydney. Available from http://www.seaslugforum.net/find/cuthanul
Related messages
Re: Cuthona anulata from Japan
April 30, 2008
From: Jon Ellis
Concerning message #7704:
Hi Bill,
I think this might be another sighting of Cuthona anulata. The specimen was tiny, my estimate 3 mm, and very nearly beyond capability of my camera - i took many shots but on the attached came out.
Other divers seemed to recognise the species, so I suspect it's more common than I think. It's certainly the first I've seen in the area.
Locality: Kaiyoukouen, Izu Ocean Park, 20 m, Shizuouka, Izu, Japan, Pacific Ocean, 23 August 2007, rocky slope. Length: 3 mm. Photographer: Jon Ellis.
Cheers
j.
ashura666@yahoo.com
Ellis, J.J., 2008 (Apr 30) Re: Cuthona anulata from Japan. [Message in] Sea Slug Forum. Australian Museum, Sydney. Available from http://www.seaslugforum.net/find/20583Thanks Jon,
It certainly looks like Cuthona anulata.
Best wishes,
Bill Rudman
One more Cuthona anulata.
September 12, 2002
From: Nishina Masayoshi
Dear Bill,
Here is a Cuthona anulata is rather similar to Baba's description.
Date: 16 Aug 2002
Location: Echizen coast, Fukui prif. Japan
Lengh: 10mm
Depth: 4m
Water temp: 28C degree
Photo: Chikako Nishina
Best Regards,
Nishina Masayoshi
nishina@wips.co.jp
Masayoshi, N., 2002 (Sep 12) One more Cuthona anulata.. [Message in] Sea Slug Forum. Australian Museum, Sydney. Available from http://www.seaslugforum.net/find/7811Thanks Nishina,
Bill Rudman
Re: Cuthona anulata
August 14, 2002
From: Nishina Masayoshi
Dear Bill,
Thank you for your comment on Cuthona anulata. Your suspicion of the colorless ceratal digestive gland is right. The seasonality of sea slugs on the Echizen coast is rather unique. From April to the end of June is the season for AEOLIDINA. I see almost no Chromodorididae in this period. And from the end of June is the season for Chromodorididae. I don't see many AEOLIDINA in this period. Probably that's because of the water temp and food. So as you said, perhaps they are not eating enough now.
Best Regards,
Nishina Masayoshi
nishina@wips.co.jp
Masayoshi, N., 2002 (Aug 14) Re: Cuthona anulata. [Message in] Sea Slug Forum. Australian Museum, Sydney. Available from http://www.seaslugforum.net/find/7763Thanks Nishina,
Bill Rudman
Re: Cuthona anulata from Japan
August 14, 2002
From: Erwin Köhler
Dear Bill,
Is this one spelt anulata or annulata?
I find both versions...
Erwin
Erwin@medslugs.de
Köhler, E., 2002 (Aug 14) Re: Cuthona anulata from Japan. [Message in] Sea Slug Forum. Australian Museum, Sydney. Available from http://www.seaslugforum.net/find/7776Dear Erwin,
I was going to mention the spelling of this species but decided not to confuse the issue. Baba spelt the name 'anulata'. In his description he mentions its 'annulated' rhinophores, which I presume is why he named it 'anulata'. The Latin word 'annulus' is normally spelt 'annulata' when used as a scientific name so it probably can be considered a spelling error by Baba. However under the International Code we have to accept Baba's original spelling as "correct" for this species.
Cheers,
Bill Rudman
Cuthona anulata from Japan
August 13, 2002
From: Nishina Masayoshi
Dear Bill,
I have attached photos of Cuthona anulata (Baba, 1949). Baba described this species in Opisthobranchs of Sagami Bay and there is an illustration. The oral tentacles in his illustration are long and extend in front of the head, while in my spcimens they are shorter and extend to the side. Baba didn't describe the dorsolateral color which is translucent clear with scattered white irregularly sized patches.
Date: 3 Aug 2002
Loc: Echizen coast, Fukui prif. Japan
Lengh: 6mm
Depth: 4m
Water temp: 27C degree
Photo: M. Nishina
The uppermost photo was taken at the place where Baba's original animal was found.
Best Regards,
Nishina Masayoshi
nishina@wips.co.jp
Dear Nishina,
Thakns for another interesting species. I think this another of Baba's species which has not bee reported on since his original description. Although we would need to look at its anatomy to be sure, it certainly fits Baba's description well. The main point of difference is the dull brown ceratal digestive gland in the painting in Baba's book. I would consider this most likely to be the result of eating different hydroids, or perhaps not eating enough. The shape of the radular teeth, the ceratal arrangement, and the rounded anterior foot corners, support the idea that this is more appropriately considered a Cuthona rather than a Cratena
Best wishes,
Bill Rudman
