Halgerda paliensis
(Bertsch & Johnson, 1982)
Order: NUDIBRANCHIA
Suborder: DORIDINA
Superfamily: EUDORIDOIDEA
Family: Dorididae
DISTRIBUTION
Hawaii
PHOTO
UPPER RIGHT: Found at Pupukea, Oahu, Hawaii, in a small ledge at night, depth approximately 12 meters. Size 60mm. May 1985. LOWER LEFT: Makua, Oahu, Hawaii, at night, depth 6 meters. Size 70mm. April 1977. LOWER RIGHT: Makua, Oahu, Hawaii, at night, depth 6 meters. Size 60mm. September 1985. PHOTO: Scott Johnson
Known only from the Hawaiian Islands, it was originally placed in the genus Sclerodoris, although the original authors (Bertsch & Johnson, 1982) had some doubts about palcing it in that genus. It has recently (Fahey & Gosliner, 2001) been moved to the genus Halgerda. It has the typical high body form and ridges of that genus and the ridges have prominent tubercles at their junctures. The body is translucent clear or pale yellow and the ridges are a deep yellow or orange yellow. The rhinophore clubs are brown with a whitish tip. The gill is light brown with white tips. There are also tiny, dark, perpendicular lines along the front of the foot and on the mantle edge. According to Scott Johnson this species is nocturnal.
References:
• Bertsch, H. & Johnson, S. (1982) Three new species of dorid nudibranchs (Gastropoda: Opisthobranchia) from the Hawaiian Islands. The Veliger, 24(3): 208-218.
• Fahey, S.J. & Gosliner, T.M. (2001) The phylogeny of Halgerda (Opisthobranchia, Nudibranchia) with the description of a new species from Okinawa. Zoologica Scripta, 30(3), 199-213.
Rudman, W.B., 2001 (October 10) Halgerda paliensis (Bertsch & Johnson, 1982) . [In] Sea Slug Forum. Australian Museum, Sydney. Available from http://www.seaslugforum.net/find/halgpali
Related messages
On Halgerda paliensis from Hawaii
October 16, 2001
From: Shireen Fahey
Dear Bill,
Here is some information on Halgerda paliensis, a species that Terry Gosliner and I have just placed in the genus of Halgerda. It has only been recorded from the Hawaiian Islands and was previously known as Sclerodoris paliensis although the original authors (Bertsch & Johnson, 1982)considered this a temporary placement, noting that the specimens lacked several typical Sclerodoris characters. Sure enough, when we examined several of the same specimens and others, we found typical Halgerda characters. When we put these characters into our data matrix for phylogenetic analysis, this species came out solidly as a basal member of the Halgerda genus. You would recognize this species with its typical Halgerda high body form and ridges. The ridges have prominent tubercles at their junctures, and are deeper yellow than the light yellow body color of the animal. The rhinophores are yellow with deep tan tips. The gill is light tan with white tips. There are also tiny, dark, perpendicular lines along the front of the foot and on the mantle edge.
References:
• Bertsch, H. & Johnson, S. (1982) Three new species of dorid nudibranchs (Gastropoda: Opisthobranchia) from the Hawaiian Islands. The Veliger, 24(3): 208-218.
• Fahey, S.J. & Gosliner, T.M. (2001) The phylogeny of Halgerda (Opisthobranchia, Nudibranchia) with the description of a new species from Okinawa. Zoologica Scripta, 30(3), 199-213.
Best wishes,
Shireen
sfahey@mailbox.uq.edu.au
Fahey, S., 2001 (Oct 16) On Halgerda paliensis from Hawaii. [Message in] Sea Slug Forum. Australian Museum, Sydney. Available from http://www.seaslugforum.net/find/5479Thanks Shireen,
Bill Rudman
Halgerda paliensis from Hawaii
October 16, 2001
From: Scott Johnson
Hi Bill,
Here are some of my photos and a few notes on Halgerda paliensis to accompany Shireen Fahey's message.
UPPER RIGHT: Found at Pupukea, Oahu, Hawaii, in a small ledge at night, depth
approximately 12 meters. Size 60mm. May 1985.
LOWER LEFT: Makua, Oahu, Hawaii, at night, depth 6 meters. Size 70mm. April
1977.
LOWER RIGHT: Makua, Oahu, Hawaii, at night, depth 6 meters. Size 60mm. September
1985.
This species is pretty much strictly nocturnal. It was one of the more
common species in my study sites at night but I never found it during the day in those same areas.
Scott
johnson@kmr.ll.mit.edu
Thanks Scott,
Bill Rudman
