This species has been observed on Reunion and Madagascar Islands
Order : Nudibranchia
Suborder : Euctenidiacea
Superfamily : Doridoidea
Family : Chromodorididae
Distribution :
Indo-West Pacific.
Maximal size : 30 mm
Abundance : Seldom on the rocky coast and on the fore reef zone
Species characteristics : This sea slug has a white mantle
with areas of transparency, an outer deep red and an inner yellow/orange border.
The rhinophores stalks are transparent, and the clubs are translucent red with a white edging to the lamellae.
The
simple
gills,
arranged in a circle around the anus, are
translucent edged in white
(sometimes with a reddish tinge).
|
|
Showing species characteristics... |
Photo Sully Bachel
Reunion, Sainte Suzanne, 6 m, 9 November 2009, size : 25 mm
|
See more about : Sightening and mating periods
Remarks :
Synonymous (according worms) :
- Chromodoris marginata, (Pease, 1860)
- Chromodoris verrieri, (Crosse, 1875)
- Doris marginata, Pease, 1860
- Glossodoris marginata, (Pease, 1860)
- Glossodoris verrieri, (Crosse, 1875)
- Goniodoris verrieri, Crosse, 1875
Bibliographic data :
The inner yellow orange band may be broken up into patches
The approximately 10 gills are held in a cup shape as in Hallaxa or Thorunna
The dorsum is pustulose and irregular. In some specimen, It is creamy with opaque speckling and small patches of yellow orange
It appears that no red is present in the rhinophores of Hawaiian specimens.
The mantle of this sea slug is elongately oval with a broad mantle overlap, the foot extending behind the mantle when the animal is crawling.
The underside of the mantle is white except for the red and yellow border of the mantle showing through. The foot is also white.
These species have similarity with Goniobranchus albonares and Thorunna horologia but :
- In Thorunna horologia, the marginal line thickens midway down the body. And an additional purple/bluish margin line is present around the edge of the foot
- In Goniobranchus albonares the rhinophores and gills are white.
References :
Bill Rudman Seaslug site : Sea Slug Forum : Chromodoris verrieri
Nudipixel Chromodoris verrieri
Publications :
Johnson R.F. & Gosliner T.M. (2012) Traditional taxonomic groupings mask evolutionary history: A molecular phylogeny and new classification of the chromodorid nudibranchs. PLoS ONE 7(4): e33479
Rudman, W.B. (1985) The Chromodorididae (Opisthobranchia: Mollusca) of the Indo-West Pacific: Chromodoris aureomarginata, C. verrieri and C. fidelis colour groups. Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society, 83 : 241-299.
Other photos of Goniobranchus verrieri :
Maurice Jay
Reunion, Saint Paul
The rhinophores stalks are transparent, and the clubs are translucent red with a white edging to the lamellae.
|
 |
 |
Alain Barrère
Reunion, "Cap la houssaye", Saint Paul,
14 February 2006, size 7-10 mm.
Specimen with a light coloration on the rhinophore club.
A juvénile form ... |
More photos from Indian Ocean
Reunion, Goniobranchus verrieri with a very thin red border, at Etang salé, by Christophe Cadet
Madagascar, Goniobranchus verrieri, at Nosy Bé, by Alain-Benoît Rassat
|