Elysia flavomacula
Jensen, 1990
Order: SACOGLOSSA
Superfamily: ELYSIOIDEA
Family: Elysiidae
DISTRIBUTION
Known only from Hong Kong.
PHOTO
Hong Kong, South China Sea. Length: 12 mm. April 1986. Subtidal on rocky substrate. Photographer: Kathe R. Jensen. [Note: This is one of the type series of animals on which Jensen based the species].
[Note added 20 June 1994: This species is most probably a colour variant of Elysia atroviridis. See message #14078]
"General body colour is dull green to grey. The rhinophores are dark grey, almost black. Black dots, some of which are 'ocellate' are scattered on the external surface of the parapodia and on the head and neck. A few spots are located on the pericardium and on the dorsal surface of the parapodia. The parapodial margins are white and there are two thich white glandular areas [swellings] along each parapodial margin. On the dorsal surface of the ehad is a conspicuous yellow spot hjust behind the rhinophores. Behind this spot is a somewhat larger white patch. Small white spots are scattered all over the body" ... Jensen (1990)
In the lab Jensen reports it feeding on the filamentous green algae Chaetomorpha antennina and probably Cladophoropsis sp. Jensen considers it has similarities to E. atroviridis Baba, and wonders whether it may be a juvenile.
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Jensen, K.R (1990) Three new species of Ascoglossa (Mollusca, Opisthobranchia) from Hong Kong, and a description of the internal anatomy of Costasiella pallida Jensen, 1985. In: Proceedings of the 2nd International Marine Biological Workshop: The marine Flora and Fauna of Hong Kong and Southern China, Hong Kong, 1986. (Ed: Morton,B) Hong Kong University Press, Hong Kong, 419-432.
Rudman, W.B., 2001 (July 23) Elysia flavomacula Jensen, 1990. [In] Sea Slug Forum. Australian Museum, Sydney. Available from http://www.seaslugforum.net/find/elysflavo
Related messages
Re: Elysia flavomacula? from South Korea
June 10, 2005
From: Kathe R. Jensen
Dear Bill and Koh,
Concerning message #13963
You are probably correct in identifying this as Elysia flavomacula. I am a little reluctant for 2 reasons. One reason is the lack of the yellow spot; the second reason is the apparent absence of the thickened glandular patches along the parapodial margins. But since Korea is quite a long distance from Hong Kong, I suppose that there could be some morphological variation.
I have attached a photo that I took of one of the original specimens. I cannot remember if it was the specimen I selected to be holotype. In any case it was collected and photographed in April 1986 (the 5th, 9th or 19th). It was about 12mm long.
Locality: Hong Kong, South China Sea. Length: 12 mm. April 1986. Subtidal on rocky substrate. Photographer: Kathe R. Jensen
Best wishes,
Kathe
krjensen@snm.ku.dk
Dear Kathe,
Koh's animal looks much more like Leslie Chan's photo [message #4895] from Hong Kong than yours. The yellow spot on Leslie Chan's animal would seem to identify it as E. flavomacula, so it seems to link the Sth Korean animals to the Hong Kong populations
Best wishes,
Bill Rudman
