Hypselodoris apolegma
(Yonow, 2001)

Order: NUDIBRANCHIA
Suborder: DORIDINA
Superfamily: EUDORIDOIDEA
Family: Chromodorididae

DISTRIBUTION

Western Pacific

PHOTO

Tenggol Island off east Malaysia, 24 May 2002. Depth 13m. Photo: Kheong Sann Chan.

This 'species' has recently been described as Risbecia apolegma. On the Forum it has been considered closely related to Hypselodoris bullocki. Whether it is a colour form of that species or a distinct species is not clear to me. Have a look at the messages on the H. bullocki and H. apolegma pages to see some of the colour variation and discussion. Also look at Phil Slosberg's photo showing typical H. bullocki and H. apolegma mating.

Hypselodoris apolegma differs from H. bullocki mainly in colour. The background colour is a rich pinkish purple with a white border to the mantle. At the edge of the mantle the border is solid white but inside this is a region of varying width in which the white forms a reticulate pattern gradually merging in to the pinkish purple. The rhinophore stalks and the base of the gills is an intense purple, the rhinophore clubs and the gills are orange yellow. I can find no anatomical grounds to place this 'species' in the genus Risbecia.

Reference:
• Yonow, N. 2001. Part 11. Doridacea of the families Chromodorididae and Hexabranchidae (Mollusca, Gastropoda, Opisthobranchia, Nudibranchia), including additional Moluccan material. [In] Results of the Rumphius Biohistorical Expedition to Ambon (1990). Zoologische Meddelingen. Leiden, 75: 1-50.

Authorship details
Rudman, W.B., 2002 (October 29) Hypselodoris apolegma (Yonow, 2001). [In] Sea Slug Forum. Australian Museum, Sydney. Available from http://www.seaslugforum.net/factsheet/hypsapol

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