Siphopteron sp. 2.

Order: CEPHALASPIDEA
Superfamily: PHILINOIDEA
Family: Gastropteridae

DISTRIBUTION

Known only from Kerama Is, Japan.

PHOTO

Kerama Is, Japan. 3mm long, in mixed sand and coral rubble, about 5m depth. Many individuals between May and July, 1999. PHOTO: Atsushi Ono.

See Atsushi Ono's message below.

Authorship details
Rudman, W.B., 1999 (July 23) Siphopteron sp. 2. [In] Sea Slug Forum. Australian Museum, Sydney. Available from http://www.seaslugforum.net/find/siphsp2

Related messages


Gastropteron from Japan

May 29, 2002
From: Atsushi Ono

Dear Bill,
About "Hopkinsia? or Okenia?". I'm sorry I did not count their appendages. I also should have use my both hands ....

I think attached is Siphopteron citrinum. This species has long pointed posterior projection.
Is this idea right?

3mm long, at 5m depth, Kerama Is. near Okinawa Japan.
Sincerely,
Atsushi Ono

ononini@cosmos.ne.jp

Ono, A., 2002 (May 29) Gastropteron from Japan. [Message in] Sea Slug Forum. Australian Museum, Sydney. Available from http://www.seaslugforum.net/find/6427

Dear Atsushi,
I suspect this may be the same as your Siphopteron sp. 2. Certainly it is very similar in body shape, and lacks any colour pattern. Siphopteron citrinum (Carlson & Hoff, 1974) from the original description seems to be a more elongate species with the posterior flagellum being dorsally placed rather than posteriorly as in your animal. Also in S. citrinum the the animal has a distinctly golden yellow colour, and the posterior flagellum and the tip of the siphon are dark brown or black.
Best wishes,
Bill Rudman

Rudman, W.B., 2002 (May 29). Comment on Gastropteron from Japan by Atsushi Ono. [Message in] Sea Slug Forum. Australian Museum, Sydney. Available from http://www.seaslugforum.net/find/6427

Another photo of Siphopteron sp. 2.

July 28, 1999
From: Atsushi Ono

Dear Bill,

Siphopteron sp.2 is very similar to Siphopteron sp.1 but lacks the orange tip found in Siphopteron sp.1.

They may be the same species. But I have never seen a middle type. Siphopteron sp.2 has no color mark, it is only white.

Sincerely,
Atsushi Ono

ononini@cosmos.ne.jp

Ono, A., 1999 (Jul 28) Another photo of Siphopteron sp. 2.. [Message in] Sea Slug Forum. Australian Museum, Sydney. Available from http://www.seaslugforum.net/find/1125

Dear Atsushi,
This photo also shows the absence of a siphonal ridge, suggesting it will probably turn out to be a species of Gastropteron when specimens are examined.

Best wishes,
Bill Rudman.

Rudman, W.B., 1999 (Jul 28). Comment on Another photo of Siphopteron sp. 2. by Atsushi Ono. [Message in] Sea Slug Forum. Australian Museum, Sydney. Available from http://www.seaslugforum.net/find/1125

Another Siphopteron sp. from Kerama Is

July 26, 1999
From: Atsushi Ono

Dear Bill,
Here is the second species which I think is Siphopteron, from Kerama Is, near Okinawa.

It is about 3mm long. It was found in mixed sand and coral rubble, about 5m depth. I found many individuals between May and July, 1999. I think it is common species in Kerama Island.

Sincerely,
Atsushi Ono

ononini@cosmos.ne.jp

Ono, A., 1999 (Jul 26) Another Siphopteron sp. from Kerama Is. [Message in] Sea Slug Forum. Australian Museum, Sydney. Available from http://www.seaslugforum.net/find/1109

Dear Atsushi,
Basically the same questions as for Siphopteron sp. 1 . Were all the specimens speckled white with no other colour? and is there a prominent dorsal ridge or crest on the siphon?

Best wishes,
Bill Rudman.

Rudman, W.B., 1999 (Jul 26). Comment on Another Siphopteron sp. from Kerama Is by Atsushi Ono. [Message in] Sea Slug Forum. Australian Museum, Sydney. Available from http://www.seaslugforum.net/find/1109