Thuridilla sp. 3
Order: SACOGLOSSA
Family: Elysiidae
PHOTO
Eilat Bay, Israel, Red Sea. Depth: 5-25 meters, Length: 0.5 - 2.5 cm. 17 Feb 2005. Photographer: Oren Lederman
Known only from 2 records on the Forum, both from the Red Sea. The colour of the rhinophores appears quite unique although the colour pattern overall has similarities to some forms ofThuridilla indopacifica [see message #13303].
Authorship detailsRudman, W.B., 2005 (March 11) Thuridilla sp. 3 [In] Sea Slug Forum. Australian Museum, Sydney. Available from http://www.seaslugforum.net/find/thursp3
Related messages
Re: color variation in Thuridilla sp. 3
March 17, 2005
From: Binyamin Koretz
Hi Bill,
Further to the messages from Oren [#13208] and Marina [#13308], and your own observation [#13303 ] that Thuridilla sp. 3 may be Thuridilla indopacifica: Here are specimens from 2 more dive sites in Eilat. These have recently (and quite suddenly) become common in Eilat and can be found at many sites at various depths.
The upper photo shows rhinophore coloration similar to the previous reports. The lower photo shows another specimen with a variation of the rhinophore coloration (at least on the one he doesn't have hidden from us): it has no white band to speak of, the speckled green continues until it meets a blue band, then black/orange/black, and then again no white band, but rather just the blue tip.
Locality: Eilat, Israel, Red Sea .Depth: 36 m and 22 m. Length: up to 15 mm. 11 March 2005. corals. Photographer: Binyamin and Shulamit Koretz
Regards
Binyamin
binyamin@koretz.net
Koretz, B., 2005 (Mar 17) Re: color variation in Thuridilla sp. 3. [Message in] Sea Slug Forum. Australian Museum, Sydney. Available from http://www.seaslugforum.net/find/13336
Thanks Binyamin,
I have added a close-up alongside of your second photo to show some of the colour detail
Best wishes,
Bill Rudman
Re: Thuridilla from the Red Sea
March 12, 2005
From: Marina Poddubetskaia
Dear Bill,
Last week I dived in Dahab, Egyptian Red Sea and I saw there a new to me Thuridilla species. Back home it was a surprise to see that this species has just been displayed on the Forum from Israel [message #13208]. Geographically, it is very near Dahab.
Locality: Golden Blocs, Dahab. Egypt, Red Sea. Depth: 15 m. Length: 12 mm. 01 March 2005. Corals. Photos: Marina Poddubetskaia - Nembro website
Terry Gosliner saw my photo of this animal and told me it could be a new species. So, I suggest to call it Thuridilla sp. 3on the Forum.
Best wishes,
Marina.
nembro@nembro.info
Poddubetskaia, M., 2005 (Mar 12) Re: Thuridilla from the Red Sea. [Message in] Sea Slug Forum. Australian Museum, Sydney. Available from http://www.seaslugforum.net/find/13308Dear Marina,
Quite a coincidence you both finding this species at the same time. Certainly it deserves a Fact Sheet.
Best wishes,
Bill Rudman
Thuridilla from the Red Sea
March 3, 2005
From: Oren Lederman
Hi Bill,
Is this some unknown Thuridilla?
Note that these are 3 different specimans. This species was found on almost all the dive sites I visited on this weekend, and Ii have never seen it before. Must be the right season... Most of them were pretty small (~1 cm) but we also found a 2.5 - 3 cm one.
Locality: Eilat Bay, Israel, Red Sea. Depth: 5-25 meters, Length: 0.5 - 2.5 cm. 17 Feb 2005. Photographer: Oren Lederman
Oren Lederman
lederman@bigmail.co.il
Dear Oren,
It certainly looks like a species of Thuridilla. The very distinctive colour pattern, especially the bands on the rhinophores, should make it recognisable, but I don't recognise it. Perhaps Terry Gosliner or Kathe Jensen can help us out.
Best wishes,
Bill Rudman
