This species has been observed on Reunion Island

Order : Nudibranchia Suborder : Euctenidiacea Superfamily : Phyllidioidea Family : Dendrodorididae Distribution : Indo West Pacific Maximal size : 150 mm Abundance : Seldom if ever on the fore reef zone and the reef flat zone. Species characteristics : Body elongate and covered with small tubercles each tipped with a brown or purple spot The body is mottled in cream and brown There are diffuse patches of dark brown on the notum that overrun some of the smaller tubercles.
	Showing species characteristics...	Photo Sonia Ribes-Beaudemoulin Réunion, Pointe au Sel lagoon, Saint Leu, less 1 m, 12 March 2008, size : 50-55 mm

See more about : Sightening and mating periods

Remarks :

Identification confirmed by Nathalie Yonow
    Synonymous : (according Worms)
          - No other name

Bibliographic data :

The Dendrodoris characteristically elongates by forming the posterior end of the foot into a temporary sucker, and then greatly extends the anterior end, much like a leech or the aplysiid Dolabrifera dolabrifera.
    The edge of the mantle can be very thin and folded and the gill pocket is placed much nearer the posterior end of the body than is normal in cryptobranch dorids.
    The tubercles become larger and more numerous in older animals.
    This species looks like Dendrodoris elongata, but this species differs from D. elongata in having conical warts all over the dorsum.

References :

Bill Rudman Seaslug site : Sea Slug Forum : Dendrodoris albopurpura
   Nudipixel Dendrodoris albopurpura

Publications :

Burn, R. (1957) On some opisthobranchia from Victoria. Journal of the Malacological Society of Australia, 1(1) : 11-29.

Other photos of Dendrodoris albopurpura :

Sonia Ribes-Beaudemoulin Réunion, Pointe au Sel lagoon, Saint Leu, less 1 m, 12 March 2008, size : 50-55 mm The edge of the mantle can be very thin and folded

Maurice Jay Réunion, Saint Gilles, 30 m, 8 November 1984   The underside of the mantle with dark brown patches (a) near the foot.         The edge of the mantle can be very thin and folded (b) and the gill pocket (c) is placed much nearer the posterior end of the body than is normal in cryptobranch dorids.

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