Eubranchus cf. rubropunctatus
Edmunds, 1969
Order: NUDIBRANCHIA
Suborder: AEOLIDINA
Family: Eubranchidae
PHOTO
UPPER: BEPHK138 - Wong Kok Chuk Tsui, Tolo Channel, 5m, 12 April 1983, 4mm long. LOWER: BEPHK193 - West Pak Sha Chau, Mirs Bay,14 April 1983, 5m, 4mm long. Photos: Bernard Picton.
Initially considered on the Forum to be a possible colour form of Eubranchus rubropunctatus, but Julie Marshall's photo of that species clearly shows the differences.
Reference:
• Edmunds, M. (1969) Opisthobranchiate Mollusca from Tanzania I. Eolidacea (Eubranchidae and Aeolidiidae). Proceedings of the Malacological Society of London, 38: 451-469.
Rudman, W.B., 2001 (September 23) Eubranchus cf. rubropunctatus Edmunds, 1969. [In] Sea Slug Forum. Australian Museum, Sydney. Available from http://www.seaslugforum.net/find/eubrcfrubr
Related messages
Re: Eubranchus misakiensis from Hong Kong
July 18, 2001
From: Bill Rudman
After receiving Nishina Masayoshi's message on Eubranchus misakiensis it seems the animal from Hong Kong in Bernard Picton's photos is not that species. E. misakiensis has far fewer brown spots, and lacks the yellow and blue colour markings. The only species I can find with a similar colour pattern is Malcolm Edmunds' Eubranchus rubropunctatus, which was described from a single specimen from East Africa. The Hong Kong animal lacks the red spots in the subapical blue band on the cerata of the type specimen but until further material is available we will be unable to say whether they fit within the colour range of a single species.
Bill Rudman
Eubranchus misakiensis from Hong Kong
March 10, 2001
From: Bernard Picton
Dear Bill,
Here are photos of another species of Eubranchus species from Hong Kong. I identified them at the time as Eubranchus misakiensis Baba, 1960 They were found feeding on small hydroids on Sargassum in shallow water.
UPPER PHOTO: BEPHK138 - Wong Kok Chuk Tsui, Tolo Channel, 5m, 12 Apr 1983, 4mm long.
LOWER PHOTO: BEPHK193 - West Pak Sha Chau, Mirs Bay,14 Apr 1983, 5m, 4mm long.
Bernard
bernard.picton.um@nics.gov.uk
Picton, B., 2001 (Mar 10) Eubranchus misakiensis from Hong Kong. [Message in] Sea Slug Forum. Australian Museum, Sydney. Available from http://www.seaslugforum.net/find/3936Thanks Bernard,
I agree with your identification, although Baba does not mention the reticulate white pattern on the cerata, so visible in your photos. Yoshi and Yayoi Hirano have published two interesting studies showing that this species feeds exclusively on hydroids of the genus Obelia, while another species, E. horii, which is often found abundantly with E. misakiensis, feeds only on Plumularia filicaulis.
Hopefully Yoshi will be able to confirm the identity of your species,
Best wishes,
Bill Rudman
