This species has been observed on Reunion and Madagascar Islands

Order : Nudibranchia Suborder : Dexiarchia Superfamily : Aeolidioidea Family : Aeolidiidae Distribution : Tropical Indo-West Pacific. Maximal size : 10 mm Abundance : Seldom if ever : on the rocky coast Species characteristics : This aeolid is characterised by the swellings on the rhinophores and the red line around their base. This line can form a complete ring around the rhinophores or in some case just a line on the posterior side. Usualy its cerata neatly arranged and lying flat on its back
	Showing species characteristics...	Photo Hugues Flodrops Reunion, Etang salé on the rocky coast, less 1 m, 11 May 2008, size : 12 mm

See more about : Sightening and mating periods

Remarks :

Identification confirmed by Bill Rudman
    Synonymous : (according Worms)
               - Aeolidiella alba Risbec, 1928
               - Spurilla alba (Risbec, 1928)

Bibliographic data :

"Walking behavior". As the animal crawled along the upright cerata at the back, and the rhinophores, all jerked backwards and forwards in a rhythmic motion.
    Similar to Favorinus japonicus by virtue of its rhinophores with swollen knobs along their lenght. It can be distinguished from Favorinus by its rounded foot corners, the form of the oral tentacles and the red line around the rhinophores

References :

Bill Rudman Seaslug site : Sea Slug Forum : Aeolidiella alba

Publications :

Carmona L., Pola M., Gosliner T.M. & Cervera J.L. 2013. A tale that morphology fails to tell: A molecular phylogeny of Aeolidiidae (Aeolidida, Nudibranchia, Gastropoda). PLoS ONE 8(5): e63000.
    Risbec, J. (1928). Contribution à l'étude des nudibranches Néo-Calédoniens. Faune des Colonies Françaises, 2 : 1-328.

Other photos of Bulbaeolidia alba :

Nathalie Rodrigues Reunion, Terre Sainte lagoon, less 1 m, 1 December 2017

Christophe Cadet Reunion, Etang salé on the rocky coast, less 1 m, 14 December 2011, size : 7-10 mm

Hugues Flodrops Reunion, Etang salé on the rocky coast, less 1 m, 4 September 2007, size : 10 mm This aeolid is characterised by the swellings on the rhinophores and the red line around their base

Christophe Cadet Reunion, Etang salé on the rocky coast, less 1 m, 29 December 2011, size : 13 mm

Nathalie Bazard Madagascar, Nosy Bé, size : 3 mm   A very small specimen...

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