Goniobranchus setoensis    ( Baba, 1938 )

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This species has been observed on Reunion


Order : Nudibranchia
Sub ordre : Euctenidiacea
Super family : Doridoidea
Family : Chromodorididae
Distribution : Indo Pacific
Maximal size : 20 mm
Abundance : Seldom if ever on the reef flat zone and the rocky coast.


Species characteristics :

It is characterized by a translucent greyish body with an orange-brown mantle margin.

There is a thin opaque white line encircling the mid-dorsal region, running from the rhinophores parallel to the mantle margin, behind the gills to the other rhinophore.

A medial thin opaque white line forms a "Y" just in front of the translucent gills.

Submarginal are large purple and minute opaque whit spots.

There are no purple spots in the greyish mid-dorsal region, which is encircled by a opaque white line.  

goniobranchus setoensis
Showing species characteristics...
Photo Alexandre Laporte
Reunion, Etang salé on the rocky coast, less 1 m, 10 February 2016,

Remarks :

Very similar is Goniobranchus decorus which differs by having purple spots also in the greyish mid-dorsal region, and by having purple spots in the white 'Y". Some specialist considered that is the same species so variant of G. decorus. Additional works is necessary to determine whether these are color variants or distinct species
    Synonymous : (according Worms)
          - Chromodoris setoensis (Baba, 1938)
          - Glossodoris setoensis Baba, 1938

Bibliographic data :


References :

Bill Rudman Seaslug site (both specimen of G. decorus and G. setoensis) : Sea Slug Forum : Chromodoris decora
   Philippines sea slugs Goniobranchus setoensis

Publications :

Other photos of Goniobranchus setoensis :


Gaetan Hoarau

Reunion, Etang salé on the rocky coast, less 1 m, 23 January 2016 size : 10 to 15 mm.

 

Typical pattern for this species


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