Elysia sp. 2

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This species has been observed on Reunion Island


Order : Sacoglossa
Superfamily : Plakobranchoidea
Family : Plakobranchidae
Distribution : ?
Maximal size : 8 mm
Abundance : Seldom if ever on the rocky coast or in the lagoon


Species characteristics :

The parapodia are edged with a double green line and there are longitudinal green lines on the parapodia

There are white tubercles on the parapodial edge, and on the inner and outer face of the parapodia

The head and the base of the rhinophore are white, the rhinophoral tips are dark blue

Elysia sp2
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Photo Philibert Bidgrain
Reunion, La Saline lagoon, less 1 m, 1 July 2010, size : 5 mm

See more about : Sightening and mating periods

Remarks :

Identification confirmed by Kathe Jensen and Hsini Lin
   According Kathe Jensen : " Your Elysia sp. 2 looks somewhat similar to the one called Elysia sp. 15 or maybe Elysia sp. 14 in the Sea Slug Forum"
    All ours specimens have a particularity, the tips of the rhinophores are dark blue...

Bibliographic data :

This Elysia sp can be quite variable relative to the amount of green pigmentation as well as the number and intensity of the lateral lines
    According Gosliner this species was found on Chlorodesmis fastigiata, on shallow reef flats

References :

Bill Rudman Seaslug site : Sea Slug Forum : Elysia sp 14 and Elysia sp 15
   Nudipixel Elysia sp

Publications :

Elysia sp 6 in : Gosliner,T.M.; Behrens,D.W.; Valdés,A (2008) Indo-pacific nudibranchs and seaslugs A field guide to the World's most diverse fauna

Other photos of Elysia sp. 2:


 

Christophe Cadet

Reunion, Etang salé, on the rocky coast, less 1 m, 2 November 2010, size : 8 mm


 

Philibert Bidgrain

Reunion, Etang salé, on the rocky coast, less 1 m, 2 June 2010, size : 5-6 mm

 


Philibert Bidgrain

Reunion, Etang salé, on the lagoon, less 1 m, 23 April 2011, size : 3 mm

Crawling on a green algae


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