Rhodope veranii
Kolliker, 1847

Order: RHODOPEMORPHA
Family: Rhodopidae

DISTRIBUTION

Mediterraean

PHOTO

Near Rovinj ?(introduced into aquarium). Croatia. Adriatic Sea. Length: 6 mm. [Probably in 1985] between green algae, probably shallow subtidal. Photographer: Maria Mizzarro-Wimmer (Univ. Vienna)

The family Rhodopidae are one of the few molluscan groups for which we have no clear idea of their phylogenetic relationships. Have a look at the Rhodopemorpha Fact Sheet for further background information.

This Mediterranean species, Rhodope veranii, is the most studied species with studies on its biology and anatomy. It is found subtidally amongst stones and Ulva, and lays between 6-30 relatively large eggs which have direct development. At present, species are distinguished by their colour pattern.

  • Arnaud, P. M., Poizat, C., and Salvini-Plawen, L. v. (1986). Marine interstitial Gastropoda (including one freshwater interstitial species) . [In] Stygofauna Mundi. A faunistic, distributional, and ecological synthesis of the world fauna inhabiting subterranean waters (including the marine interstitial). (Ed L. Botosaneanu.) pp. 153-173.  (E. J. Brill.: Leiden.)
  • Bergh, L. S. R. (1882) Uber die Gattung Rhodope. Zoologischer Anzeiger, 5: 550-554.
  • Bohmig, l. (1893) Zur feineren Anatomie von Rhodope veranii Kolliker. Zeitschrift fur Wissenschaftliche Zoologie, 56: 40-116, pls. 3-6.
  • Graff, L. v. (1882) Uber Rhodope veranii Kolliker (=Sidonia elegans M. Schultze). Morphologisches Jahrbuch, 8: 73-84, pl. 2.
  • Haszprunar, G. and Hess, M. (2005) A new Rhodope from the Roscoff area (Bretagne), with a review of Rhodope species (Gastropoda: Nudibranchia?). Spixiana, 28: 193-197.
  • Karling, T. G. (1966) Rhodope veranyi (Gastropoda, Euthyneura) von der norwegischen Kuste. Sarsia, 24: 33-35.
  • Kolliker, A. (1847) Rhodope nuovo genere di gasteropodi. Giornale dell I. R. Istituto Lombardo di Scienze, lettere ed Arti e Biblioteca Italiana, 16: 239-249, 1 pl.
  • Oberzeller, E. (1969) Die Verwarstschaftbeziehungen der Rhodope veranii Kolliker zu den Oncidiidae, Vaginulidae und Rathouisiidae in bezug auf das Nervensystem. Malacologia, 9: 282-283.
  • Riedel, R. (1959) Beitrage zur Kenntnis der Rhodope veranii, Teil I. Geschichte und Biologie.  Zoologischer Anzeiger, 163: 107-122.
  • Reidel, R. (1960) Beitrage zur Kenntnis der Rhodope veranii. 2. Entwicklung . Zeitschrift fur Wissenschaftliche Zoologie, 163: 237-316.
  • Trinchese, S. (1887)  Nuove osservazioni sulla Rhodope veranii (Kolliker). Rendiconto dell' Accademia delle Scienze Fisiche e Mathematiche, Sezione della Societa Reale di Napoli, series 2,  1: 131-137.
Authorship details
Rudman, W.B., 2005 (November 19) Rhodope veranii Kolliker, 1847. [In] Sea Slug Forum. Australian Museum, Sydney. Available from http://www.seaslugforum.net/find/rhodvera

Related messages


First colour photos of Rhodope species

November 21, 2005
From: Gerhard Haszprunar

Dear Bill,

These are, to my knowledge, the first colour photos of Rhodope species. I am sending them for inclusion in the Sea Slug Forum gallery. These photos are based on our recently published paper:

Upper right: Rhodope roskoi. near Roscoff: 48º 43´532 N, 3º 50´712 W. Bretagne, France. NE Atlantic. Depth: 25 m. Length: 1.5 mm. 29 May 2005. on shelly gravel ("sable de amphioxus"). Photographer: Martin Hess.
Lower left: Rhodope veranii. Near Rovinj ?(introduced into aquarium). Croatia. Adriatic Sea. Length: 6 mm. [Probably in 1985] between green algae, probably shallow subtidal. Photographer: Maria Mizzarro-Wimmer (Univ. Vienna)
Lower right: Rhodope sp F, Haszprunar & Hess, 2005. Locality unknown. A single specimen found in in dark corner of tropical aquarium. Length: 3 - 4 mm. 6 February 1992. Photographer: Reinhard Kikinger (Univ. Vienna)

We would greatly appreciate further reports (best with photographic documentation) on these or other Rhodope species from all over the world.

  • Haszprunar, G. & Heß, M. (2005) A new Rhodope from the Roscoff area (Bretagne) with a review of Rhodope species. Spixiana, 28(3): 193-197.

All the best
Gerhard Haszprunar

haszi@zsm.mwn.de

Haszprunar, G., 2005 (Nov 21) First colour photos of Rhodope species. [Message in] Sea Slug Forum. Australian Museum, Sydney. Available from http://www.seaslugforum.net/find/15233

Dear Gerhard,
Thanks for these intersting photos. I hope they generate further information on these fascinating, and puzzling group of animals. For those of you unfamiliar with these microscopic worm-like animals I have prepared a Fact Sheet on the group - which I have tentatively followed the Southern Synthesis in calling the Order Rhodopemorpha.
Best wishes,
Bill Rudman

Rudman, W.B., 2005 (Nov 21). Comment on First colour photos of Rhodope species by Gerhard Haszprunar. [Message in] Sea Slug Forum. Australian Museum, Sydney. Available from http://www.seaslugforum.net/find/15233