Thuridilla flavomaculata
Gosliner, 1995
Order: SACOGLOSSA
Superfamily: ELYSIOIDEA
Family: Elysiidae
DISTRIBUTION
Tropical Western Pacific - Marshall Ids, Indonesia, Philippines, Guam.
PHOTO
Lahoa Channel between Pulau Kaledupa and Pulau Lintea, Tukang Besi Archipelago, SE Sulawesi, Indonesia. 7 August 1999, Depth 1.5m Size: 22 mm. Photo: Lindsay Warren.
Green with scattered white and yellow spots. Edge of parapodia is cream coloured. The rhinophores are opaque white with black tips - white lines or spots superimposed on the black can give the impression of black lines in some specimens. This is the only known species of Thuridilla with scattered yellow spots.
See message below.
Reference:
• Gosliner, T.M. (1995) The genus Thuridilla (Opisthobranchia: Elysiidae) from the tropical Indo-Pacific, with a revision of ther phylogeny and systematics of the Elysiidae. Proceedings of the California Academy of Sciences, 49(1): 1-54.
Rudman, W.B., 2000 (July 19) Thuridilla flavomaculata Gosliner, 1995. [In] Sea Slug Forum. Australian Museum, Sydney. Available from http://www.seaslugforum.net/find/thurflav
Related messages
Thuridilla flavomaculata from the Mariana Islands
February 8, 2006
From: Takao Urasawa
Dear Dr Rudman
I think this is possibly a Thuridilla.
Would you tell me its real name ?
Locality: Wing beach, Saipan, Northern Mariana Islands, Depth: 5 m. Philippine Sea. Length: 25 mm. July 2005. Photographer: Takao Urasawa
Takao Urasawa
dswith@isletwind.com
Takao Urasawa, 2006 (Feb 8) Thuridilla flavomaculata from the Mariana Islands. [Message in] Sea Slug Forum. Australian Museum, Sydney. Available from http://www.seaslugforum.net/find/15204Dear Takao,
This is Thuridilla flavomaculata.
Best wishes,
Bill Rudman
Thuridilla flavomaculata from Bunaken, Indonesia
January 16, 2006
From: Krystian Bala
This one was spotted in July 2005 in Manado, North Sulawesi. What's it's name?
Is it a kind of Elysia?
Locality: Bunaken Marine Park, Sulawesi, Indonesia. Depth: 10-12 m. Length: 40 mm. July 2005. wall. Photographer: Krystian Bala
Best regards
Krystian Bala
amokdiver@gmail.com
Bala, K.S., 2006 (Jan 16) Thuridilla flavomaculata from Bunaken, Indonesia. [Message in] Sea Slug Forum. Australian Museum, Sydney. Available from http://www.seaslugforum.net/find/15555
Dear Krystian,
The yellow spots are quite spectacular in this animal, so my first thought was to look for a name reflecting that such as flavo = yellow and punctata or maculata which both mean spotted in scientific Latin. I found both Thuridilla flavomaculata and Elysia flavomacula. I hope no one ever decides the two species belong in the same genus or we will have a couple of confusing names to keep separate!
Your animal is Thuridilla flavomaculata, another species we know little about.
Best wishes,
Bill Rudman
Re: Thuridilla flavomaculata from Sulawesi
August 1, 2000
From: Lindsay Warren
Dear Bill
This sacoglossan was found by Rich Smith on 10 June 1999 at a depth of 2.4 m between the islands of Hoga and Kaledupa, Tukang Besi Archipelago, SE Sulawesi, Indonesia (Operation Wallacea. He found it in a sheltered spot "feeding on spherical spongey algae". L: 10 mm. The original illustration showed an overall body colour of brown, whereas in reality it is green. Photo: Lindsay Warren.
It was only when I was able to compare photos that I could see the great similarity with a another specimen (OWN159) which you have identified as Thuridilla flavomaculata.
Photo: Lindsay Warren.
All the best
Lindsay Warren
alldcl@compuserve.com
Warren, L., 2000 (Aug 1) Re: Thuridilla flavomaculata from Sulawesi. [Message in] Sea Slug Forum. Australian Museum, Sydney. Available from http://www.seaslugforum.net/find/2804Dear Lindsay,
They are both Thuridilla flavomaculata. The mention of it feeding on a 'spherical spongey algae' could be a useful clue to its food.
Best wishes,
Bill Rudman.
Thuridilla flavomaculata from Sulawesi
July 21, 2000
From: Lindsay Warren
Dear Bill
This Elysia was found on 7 August 1999 on sand at a depth of 1.5m in the Lahoa Channel which runs between Pulau Kaledupa and Pulau Lintea [Tukang Besi Archipelago, SE Sulawesi, Indonesia - Operation Wallacea]. Size: 22 mm. The rising and falling tides race at quite a lick through this channel which features a mix of silt, sand, seagrass, occasional coral and sponge outcrops.
The overall body colour is dark green and it is covered in bright yellow / orange spots of various sizes along with small white dots. The edges of the parapodia are dusted with clusters of small white spots. The rhinophores are dark with patches of white. We also found a much smaller specimen at a later date with similar markings and colour although not as well developed as this one. Photo: Lindsay Warren
Any idea as to its name?
All the best
Lindsay Warren
alldcl@compuserve.com
Warren, L., 2000 (Jul 21) Thuridilla flavomaculata from Sulawesi. [Message in] Sea Slug Forum. Australian Museum, Sydney. Available from http://www.seaslugforum.net/find/2755Dear Lindsay,
This is Thuridilla flavomaculata.
Best wishes,
Bill Rudman.
