Version française...

This species has been observed on Reunion Island

Order : Nudibranchia Suborder : Dexiarchia Superfamily : Aeolidioidea Family : Facelinidae Distribution : Indo West Pacific Maximal size : 12 mm Abundance : Species characteristics : Body translucent with numerous opaque white and orange spots The lower third of each cerata is transparent and the upper two third are opaque white or creamish. A prominent purple-red spot is present at the base of each cerata where it joins to the body Rhinophores with 2 large annulae towards their upper half
	Showing species characteristics...	Photo Sullly Bachel Reunion, Barachois, 7 m, 14 December 2014, size : 5-7 mm

See more about : Sightening and mating periods

Remarks :

  Synonymous (according worms) :
               - Hervia affinis Baba, 1949

Bibliographic data :

Very similar in general shape to Cratena affinis but has some significant consistent differences in external shape and colour. In particular it lacks white lines on the cerata and lacks a red patches on each side of the head.
   This is a small nudibranch with a long and slender body. The tail is very long and the tip is pointed
   The oral tentacle are multicolored the basal area is translucent with a few opaque white spots then there is a brown ring, and the upperhalf is uniformly opaque white
   The cerata are slender but swollen towards the distal third. They are arranged in five discrete cluster in symmetrical pairs
   The lower half of the rhinophore is translucent with a few large opaque white spot and the annulated upper half is uniformly white

References :

Bill Rudman Seaslug site : Sea Slug Forum : Cratena cf. affinis
   Medslug Cratena cf. affinis

Publications :

Baba, K (1949) Opisthobranchia of Sagami Bay collected by His Majesty The Emperor of Japan . Iwanami Shoyen, Tokyo. 194pp., 50 Pls pages.

Other photos of Cratena cf. affinis :

Philibert Bidgrain Reunion, Etang salé on the rocky coast, less 1 m, 24 February 2011, size : 13 mm The cerata are slender but swollen (a) towards the distal third. A prominent purple-red spot (b) is present at the base of each cerata where it joins to the body

Christophe Cadet Reunion, Etang salé lagoon, less 1 m, 17 November 2011, size : 4-5 mm   A small specimen...

If you have taken a photo of this species in South West Indian Ocean, please Contact us...