Description of Anteaeolidiella indica : Reunion island (Indian Ocean)

Anteaeolidiella indica complex (Bergh, 1888)

This species has been observed on Reunion and Mayotte Islands

Order : Nudibranchia
Suborder : Dexiarchia
Superfamily : Aeolidioidea
Family : Aeolidiidae
Distribution :Tropical Indo-West Pacific and occurs as far south as northern New Zealand.
Maximal size :40 mm
Abundance : Seldom if ever : on the fore reef zone

Species characteristics :

Oral tentacles and smooth rhinophores, opaque white above, and orange below.
    Cerata with a subapical white band with sometimes an orange tip, each marked internally with a light brown diverticulum of the digestive gland.
    Anterior presence of short foot corners.
    The colour of the dorsal part of the body ranges from a dull uniform orange-brown to a pale translucent white background with a row of white patches down the dorsal midline, each sometimes outlined by an orange line.

Showing species characteristics...

Photo Alexandre Laporte
Reunion, Etang Salé lagoon, less 1 m, 15 February 2017

See more about : Sightening and mating periods

Remarks :

Identification confirmed by Bill Rudman, Marta Pola and Hsini LIn
    According Carmona, L.; Bhave, V.; Salunkhe, R.; Pola, M.; Gosliner, T. M.; Cervera, J. L. (2014) : "Our results confirmed the validity of the recent genus Anteaeolidiella from a molecular point of view. However, our study demonstrates that at least five distinct allopatric species constitute the Anteaeolidiella indica complex, which presents to a consistent biogeographic pattern... A redefinition of A. indica is needed in order to clarify the morphological characteristics of this species and its intraspecific variability"
    Synonymous : (according Worms)
               - Aeolidiella indica BNergh, 1888

Bibliographic data :

Cerata arranged in six or seven distinct clusters with a few single cerata at the posterior end.
    The conical oral tentacles are as long as the rhinophores or slightly longer. The rhinophores are smooth and finger-shaped.
    Found in South Africa associated with the sea anemone Anthothoe stimpsonii, upon which it feeds voraciously (Gosliner and Griffiths, 1981). In the Mediterranean Schmekel and Portmann (1982) noted that this species feeds on sea anemones of the genus Sagartia .
    It is found commonly in intertidal areas, but extends to water of at least 10 m depth
    The eggs mass is a simple spiral.

References :

Bill Rudman Seaslug site : Sea Slug Forum : Anteaeolidiella indica

Publications :

Baba, K. (1979a) Brief comment on the identification of a nudibranchiate mollusk, Aeolidiella takanosimensis Baba 1930, from Amakusa, Japan (Eolidoidea: Aeolidiidae). Publications from the Amakusa Marine Biological Laboratory, Kyushu University 5(1) : 1-7.
    Baba, K. (1979b) Short account of the anatomy of a nudibranchiate mollusk; Aeolidiella takanosimensis Baba, 1930 from Japan (Eolidoidea: Aeolidiidae). The Veliger, 22(1) : 12-18.
    Baba, K. (1930) Studies on Japanese nudibranchs 3. A. Phyllidiidae. B. Aeolididae. Venus, The Japanese Journal of Malacology, 2(3) : 117-125.
    Carmona, L.; Bhave, V.; Salunkhe, R.; Pola, M.; Gosliner, T. M.; Cervera, J. L. (2014). Systematic review of Anteaeolidiella (Mollusca, Nudibranchia, Aeolidiidae) based on morphological and molecular data, with a description of three new species. Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society. 171(1): 108-132.
    Gosliner, T.M. & Griffiths, R.J. (1981) Description and revision of some South African aeolidacean Nudibranchia (Mollusca, Gastropoda). Annals of the South African Museum, 84(2) : 105-150.
    Miller, M.C. (2001) Aeolid nudibranchs (Gastropoda: Opisthobranchia) of the family Aeolidiidae from New Zealand waters. Journal of Natural History, 35 : 629-662.
    Schmekel L. and Portmann A., 1982. Opisthobranchia des Mittelmeeres. Springer, Berlin, 410 p.