Dermatobranchus caeruleomaculatus   
Gosliner & Fahey, 2011

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This species has been observed on Madagascar Island


Order : Nudibranchia
Suborder : Dexiarchia
Superfamily : Arminoidea
Family : Arminidae
Distribution : Indo West Pacific
Maximal size : 40 mm
Abundance :


Species characteristics :

The ground colour of the dorsum is white with light reddish brown area with a series of brown spots arranged in longitudinal lines along the margin of the ridges. There are also fine brown spots on the posterior end of the oral veil.

The oral veil and the margin of the notum have a series of blue spots, each with a black centre.

There is a marginal yellow-orange band on both the notum and the oral veil.

The rhinophore stalk is white with brown spots and the club is dark brown to black with opaque white pigment on the lamellae. The tip of the rhinophores is white.

dermatobranchus caeruleomaculatus
Showing species characteristics...

Photo Alain-Benoît Rassat
Madagascar, Nosy Bé, Olaf, 24 m, 12 March 2016, size : 40 mm

See more about : Sightening and mating periods

Remarks :

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

Bibliographic data :

The body shape of the living animal is elongate, but broad, slightly flattened, and narrows at the posterior end.
    The well separated, bulbous rhinophores are situated behind the oral veil. They have a series of longitudinal lamellae on the rounded club, which has a small rounded apex.
    There are no hyponotal or branchial lamellae under the mantle margin.
    The dorsum has approximately 24 well-elevated, longitudinal ridges on either side of the midline that may further divide posteriorly.
    The oral veil is large and expansive with slightly pointed corners.
    The foot does not project beyond the distinct mantle margin.
    The egg mass is a highly convoluted ribbon attached to the sand by a mucus thread. There is a single egg per egg capsule.
    This species was found feeding on the soft coral, Dendronephthya sp., on sandy slopes in 10–15 m of water
    It displays trailing behavior.
    Etymology : The specific name caeruleomaculatus is a noun in apposition and refers to the bright blue spots present on the oral veil and notal margins

References :

Nudipixel Dermatobranchus careuleomaculatus
   Phlippines Seaslug Dermatobranchus careuleomaculatus
   Okinawa Seaslug Dermatobranchus careuleomaculatus

Publications :

Gosliner T.M. & Fahey S.J. (2011) Previously undocumented diversity and abundance of cryptic species: a phylogenetic analysis of Indo-Pacific Arminidae Rafinesque, 1814 (Mollusca: Nudibranchia) with descriptions of 20 new species of Dermatobranchus . Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society 161: 245–356.

Other photos of Dermatobranchus caeruleomaculatus :


 

 

Alain-Benoît Rassat

Madagascar, Nosy Bé, Olaf, 24 m, 12 March 2016, size : 40 mm

 

The ground colour of the dorsum is white with light reddish brown area with a series of brown spots arranged in longitudinal lines (a) along the margin of the ridges. There are also fine brown spots (b) on the posterior end of the oral veil.

The oral veil and the margin of the notum have a series of blue spots, each with a black centre (c).

There is a marginal yellow-orange band (d) on both the notum and the oral veil.

The rhinophore stalk is white (e) with brown spots and the club is dark brown (f) to black with opaque white pigment on the lamellae. The tip of the rhinophores is white.


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