This species has been observed on Reunion and Madagascar Islands

Order : Nudibranchia Suborder : Euctenidiacea Superfamily : Polyceroidea Family : Gymnodorididae Distribution : Indo-West Pacific Maximal size : 55 mm Abundance : Seldom on the fore reef zone Species characteristics : The mantle is white with large orange spotted or ringed colour form on hight tubercles. There are some bifurcated orange or red lines in each gill. The rhinophores are orange.
	Showing species characteristics...	Photo Maurice Jay Reunion

See more about : Sightening and mating periods

Remarks :

Identification confirmed by Nathalie Yonow
    Synonymous (according worms) :
          - Doris impudica Rüppell & Leuckart, 1830                          - Trevelyana impudica (Rüppell & Leuckart, 1830)
          - Gymnodoris rubropapulosa (Bergh, 1905)                       - Trevelyana rubropapulosa Bergh, 1905

Bibliographic data :

It has similarities in colour pattern to G. ceylonica but in G. impudica the orange spots are much larger and more densely arranged, the body is more elongated. In G.ceylonica there is only one orange or red line in each gill but some bifurcated lines can be observed in G impudica. There are also major anatomical differences
    There exist two forms of G. impudica : one with the white background and relatively sparse orange spots, and the other with a more typical animal with translucent background and closer and larger orange spots. Bill Rudman can find no anatomical difference between the two colour forms which can occur together. The orange ornamentation can take a spotted or a ringed colour form.
    The gymnodorids are "hunters" and can move at time quite quickly, but they also spend a lot of time meditating...
    The only specimen observed in Reunion Island has white background and relatively sparse orange spots, and larger rings. So if you have taken a photo of this colour form or another one in Reunion Island , please Contact us...

References :

Bill Rudman Seaslug site : Sea Slug Forum : Gymnodoris rubropapulosa
    Nudipixel Gymnodoris impudica

Publications :

Bergh, L.S.R. (1905). Die Opisthobranchiata. Siboga Expeditie Report, 50 : 248pp., Pls 1-20.
    Yonow N. (2011) Results of the Rumphius Biohistorical Expedition to Ambon (1990). Part 15. The suborder Doridina (Mollusca, Gastropoda, Opisthobranchia, Nudibranchia). Zoologische Mededelingen 85(17): 905-956.

Other photos of Gymnodoris impudica :

Barbara Bini Madagascar, Nosy bé, 22 m, taille : 30 mm

Philippe Cao Van Reunion, Saint Leu

Philibert Bidgrain Reunion, La saline, less 1 m, 24 November 2011, size : 15 mm During the night

If you have taken a photo of this colour form or another one in South West Indian Ocean, please Contact us...