This species has been observed on Reunion Island

Order : Nudibranchia Suborder : Euctenidiacea Superfamily : Doridoidea Family : Discodorididae Distribution : Reunion island Maximal size : 35 mm Abundance : Seldom if ever on the rocky coast Species characteristics : This species has small, closely spaced tubercles with often ringed with white execpt those in the center of the dorsum, making the central region appear darker. The mantle is pale brown to fawn or beige with large purple brown patches on the peripheric area. These patches are also visible on the underside of the mantle. The rhinophores are pale brown The branchia are two-toned : the outer side cream flecked with brown and white, the  inner side orange-brown
	Showing species characteristics...	Photo Hugues Flodrops Reunion, Etang Salé, on the rocky coast, less 1 m, 17 February 2007, size : 35 mm

See more about : Sightening and mating periods

Remarks :

Identification confirmed by Nathalie Yonow. " This is like some spécimens from the Red Sea also, with the marginal patches. But I have not done the radulae yet"
    Bill Rudman considered that this species is Hoplodoris nodulosa. " To me, it is most similar to Hoplodoris nodulosa  which is supposed to be restricted to temperate Australia and New Zealand. That species also has the reddish brown central patch, and more importantly, usually has orange on the inside of the gills like in your animals"
    Shireen Fahey considered that this species is may be Carlinodoris bifurcata (pustulata?). "It is difficult to determine the correct species by looking at a photo of these species. It would be necessary to dissect a specimen to examine the reproductive and radula morphology....The gill on your nudibranch, has the same dark color on the posterior gill leaves, as on the central dorsum. This is why I think it may be Carlinodoris bifurcata (pustulata?)."

 

Bibliographic data :

The body is oval, flat and the notum is covered with tubercles. The tubercles are mostly rounded on the dorsal median, becoming progressively more tapered around the median. The tubercles closest to the mantle edge are much smaller than the others.
    There is a central dorsum, red-brown band of color, with all tubercles having the same coloration. On the tubercles towards the mantle edge, there is a white ring at the base followed by a red-brown or tan ring, and a white tip on some tubercles.

Similar species

There are several species in Carminodoris, unfortunately, apart from a couple of obviously different species, such as C. armata and C. estrelyado, the others are very difficult if impossible to accurately identify externally. They do have quite significant differences anatomically in their reproductive systems and radular morphology. It's just unfortunate they don't seem to be reflected by external differences.
    Looks like Carminodoris bifurcata (pustulata?) but in Carminodoris sp2 :
          - There aren't tiny black/dark brown spots on the mantle
          - Presence on the notum of large purple brown patches on the peripheric area, also visible on the underside.

References :

Bill Rudman Seaslug site : Sea Slug Forum : Hoplodoris nodulosa
   Bill Rudman Seaslug site : Sea Slug Forum : Hoplodoris bifurcata

Publications :

    Fahey, S. J. & Gosliner, T. M. (2003) Mistaken identities: On the Discodorididae genera Hoplodoris Bergh, 1880 and Carminodoris Bergh, 1889 (Opisthobranchia, Nudibranchia). Proceedings of the California Academy of Sciences, 54(10) : 169-208.

Other photos of Carminodoris sp1 :

Hugues Flodrops Reunion, Etang Salé, on the rocky coast, less 1 m, 17 February 2007, size : 35 mm The rhinophores are pale brown (a) The branchia are two-toned (b) : the outer side cream flecked with brown and white, the  inner side orange-brown The mantle is pale brown to fawn or beige with large purple brown patches on the peripheric area (c). These patches are also visible on the underside (d) of the mantle.

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