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This species has been observed on Reunion and Mauritius Islands

Order : Nudibranchia Suborder : Euctenidiacea Superfamily : Doridoidea Family : Chromodorididae Distribution : Indo-West Pacific. Maximal size : 60 mm Abundance : From time to time on the fore reef zone Species characteristics : It has a mottled brown body with bluish white (outer), then black, then whitish (inner) bands on the heavily folded mantle edge, and on the foot. The rhinophores have a little bluish coloration The gills have a black line on the rachis
	Showing species characteristics...	Photo Delphine Dupin Reunion, Saint Leu, 10 October 2004

See more about : Sightening and mating periods
   See more about : Glossodoris cf cincta variability in Southwest Indian ocean

Remarks :

Identification confirmed by Bill Rudman

According to Bill Rudman : "About Reunion Island specimens, It is possible that it is just a variant of G. cincta, but having been surprised a few times after dissecting animals of this colour group, I would not be surprised if it turned out to be a distinct species." The same color form was also observed in Mauritius Island. It could be a fourth regional color form of G.cincta or a new species....

Divrersity of mantle edge in our specimens from Southest of Indian Ocean Mantle border with bluish white (outer), then black, then whitish (inner) band (Reunion, Mauritius)

Bibliographic data :

This widespread Indo-West Pacific species seems to have three regional colour forms (see Bill Rudman Sea slug forum).

The southwest Pacific form has a bluish white (outer), then black, then yellow (inner) bands on the mantle edge.
    The Philippines - Indonesia colour form has a bluish outer band on the mantle edge but the inner black and yellow lines tend to merge into a dull khaki band.
    The East African colour form lacks a distinct bluish white band at the mantle edge.

In Reunion Island like in Mauritius, all the specimens that we have observed, look like the Southwest Pacific form, but the inner band is whitish and not clearly yellow, for the moment this Southest Indian Ocean form, was called Glossodoris cf cincta. If you find this colour form or another one in Reunion Island, please Contact us...
    The side of the body and dorsal part of the posterior foot are the same colour, the edge of the foot being bordered with bluish white (outer), then black, then whitish (inner) band
    Their egg ribbons are white.
    When G. cf cincta is crawling, the gills make vibrating movements
    It discharges a white fluid from the mantle when provoked.
    This seaslug is similar in colour and shape to Glosssodoris hikuerensis, but the three bands at the mantle border are smaller and different colours.
    This seaslug is similar in colour and shape to Glosssodoris cincta, but in G. cincta there is a bright yellow submarginal line and a black line of similar width at the edge of the mantle

References :

Bill Rudman Sea slug site : Sea Slug Forum : Glossodoris cincta and Glossodoris sp 15

Publications :

Rudman, W.B. (1986) The Chromodorididae (Opisthobranchia: Mollusca) of the Indo-West Pacific: the genus Glossodoris Ehrenbergh (= Casella , H.& A. Adams). Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society, 86 : 101-184.

Other photos of Glossodoris cf cincta:

David Caron Reunion, "Cap la Houssaye" at Saint paul.

Emmanuel Eby Reunion, Saint Leu, 10 -15 mm, 28 August 2004. You can observe in this specimen, the little bluish coloration of the rhinophores and the absence of the inner yellow band.

Philibert Bidgrain Reunion, "Banc de sable" at Saint Leu, 8 m. Crawling on the sand. Size 35-40 mm 23 December 2005

Sully Bachel Reunion, Cap la Houssaye, Saint Paul, 14 m, 29 March 2009, size : less 10 mm The same pattern than the adults...

Philibert Bidgrain Reunion, Pain de sucre, Saint Gilles, 10-15 m, 18 March 2009, size : 40 mm The gills have a black line on the rachis

See more about : Glossodoris cf cincta variability in Southwest Indian ocean

Mauritius, Chromodoris cf cincta, at Recif Water Lily, by Mathieu Bayon

Mauritius, Glossodoris cf cincta, at Trou aux biches, by Mathieu Bayon

Reunion, Glossodoris cf cincta, at Saint Paul, by Maurice Jay

Reunion, Glossodoris cf cincta, at Saint Paul, by Guillaume Boeye

Reunion, Glossodoris cf cincta, at Saint Leu, by Florence Trentin

Réunion, oral tentacle of Glossodoris cf cincta, at Sainte Rose, by Florence Trentin  

Reunion, a very large Glossodoris cf cincta, at Saint Paul, by David Faget

Reunion, Glossodoris cf cincta, at Saint Leu, by Raphaël Roland Gosselin  

Reunion, when a large G. hikuerensis meat a small G cf cincta, at Sainte Rose, by Thierry Cailleux