Goniobranchus mandapamensis
 (Valdés, Mollo & Ortea, 1999)  

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This species has been observed on Madagascar Island


Order : Nudibranchia
Suborder : Euctenidiacea
Superfamily : Doridoidea
Family : Chromodorididae
Distribution : Indo West pacific
Maximal size : 30 mm
Abundance : Seldom if ever on the reef


Species characteristics :

The entire dorsum (cream to pale grey) is densely covered with numerous, rounded, dark brown spots. These spots appear to be diffuse in the mantle edge.

A broken line of bright orange spots edges the mantle margin.

The rhinophore stalks are cream with several dark brown spots. The clubs are brown, with white edged lamellae.

The leaves are pale brown with numerous, small opaque white dots scattered all over the surface

Goniobranchus mandapamensis
Showing species characteristics...
Photo Alain-Benoît Rassat
Madagascar, Epave Zaida, Nosy Bé, 27 m, 9 October 2015, size : 40 mm

See more about : Sightening and mating periods

Remarks :

Identification confirmed by Hsini Lin and Nathalie Yonow   
   Synonymous : (according Worms)
          - Chromodoris mandapamensis, Valdés, Mollo & Ortea, 1999

Bibliographic data :

The body is elongate. The posterior end of the notum is very elongate and covers the foot.
   The rhinophore stalks are cream with several dark brown spots. The clubs are brown, with white edged lamellae. The apexes are reddish with white tips. The perfoliate rhinophores are composed of 17 lamellae
   The gill consists of seven large, bipinnate branchial leaves. The leaves are pale brown with numerous, small opaque white dots scattered all over the surface, and large brown spots near the base of the leaves.
   Etymology : The name of this species is derived from Mandapam, the type locality.
   Similar to Chromodoris striatella but has dark brown to black spots rather than lines

References :

Bill Rudman Seaslug site : Sea Slug Forum : Chromodoris mandapamensis
   Nudipixel Chromodoris mandapamensis

Publications :

Valdés, A., Mollo, E. & Ortea, J. (1999) Two new species of Chromodoris (Mollusca, Nudibranchia, Chromodorididae) from Southern India, with a redescription of Chromodoris trimarginata (Winckworth, 1946). Proceedings of the California Academy of Sciences, 51 : 461-472.

Other photos of Goniobranchus mandapamensis :


Alain-Benoît Rassat

Madagascar, Epave Zaida, Nosy Bé, 27 m, 9 October 2015, size : 40 mm

Rhinophore detail :

The rhinophore stalks are cream with several dark brown spots. The clubs are brown, with white edged lamellae.


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