Dendrodoris cf stohleri     Millen & Bertsch 2005

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This species has been observed on Reunion Island


Order : Nudibranchia
Suborder : Euctenidiacea
Superfamily : Phyllidioidea
Family : Dendrodorididae
Distribution : Reunion island...
Maximal size : 50 mm
Abundance : Seldom if ever on the rocky coast

Species characteristics :

The ground color is white to pale cream. Irregular black spots are scattered on the dorsum.

The rhinophores are slightly darker than the ground color.

The gills are the same as the ground color.

dendrodoriscf stohleri
Showing species characteristics...
Photo Sébastien Vasquez
Réunion, Etang salé on the rocky coast, less 1 m, 22 February 2015, size : 50 mm

See more about : Sightening and mating periods

Remarks :

According Dave Behrens, Richard Willan and Nathalie Yonow : This sprecies look like D. stohleri but D. stoheri was described from Bahía de los Ángeles, Baja California, Mexico and the rhinophores seems to be different. So for the moment its better to call this specimen Dendrodoris cf stohleri...

Bibliographic data :

This species has a low, elongate-oval body with a slightly crenulate margin
    The low branchial pocket is smooth.
    The gills are near the posterior tip of the mantle in the dorsal midline, facing posteriorly when extended
    This species looks like D. stohleri but there are some difference in the coloration pattern, in D. stohleri :
            - The ground color is pale cream to dark golden yellow
            - The irregular black spots are rarely on the mantle margin and are most irregular...
            - The rhinophores and gills may have a few black spots.
    Etymology : This species is named in honor of our colleague, mentor and friend, Dr. Rudolf Stohler (1901–2000), for his numerous contributions to malacology. As founding editor of The Veliger , he supported and encouraged many young students (Bertsch 2000). We remember his eccentricities and his graciousness ... a true gentleman and scholar !

References :

Bill Rudman Seaslug site : Sea Slug Forum : Dendrodoris stohleri
   Slugsite Dendrodoris stohleri

Publications :

Millen, S.V. and Bertsch, H. (2005) Two new species of porostome nudibranchs (family Dendrodorididae) from the coasts of California (USA) and Baja California (Mexico). Proceedings of the California Academy of Sciences, 56(18): 189-199

Other photos of Dendrodoris cf stohleri :


Sébastien Vasquez

Réunion, Etang salé on the rocky coast, less 1 m, 22 February 2015, size : 50 mm

The gills are near the posterior tip of the mantle in the dorsal midline, facing posteriorly when extended. It is similar in shape to Dendrodoris nigra


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