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This species has been observed on
Reunion, Mayotte and Madagascar Islands
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Order : Nudibranchia
Suborder : Euctenidiacea
Superfamily : Doridoidea
Family : Chromodorididae
Distribution : Madagascar, South
Africa, Mayotte and Réunion
Maximal size : 10 mm
Abundance : Frequently on the
fore reef zone
Orange marginally and cream medially, with a complex
pattern of pink and white spots, and fine white longitudinal lines
The rhinophores are characteristically long, banded with
orange, although the orange bands may vary in number from one to three
Important pattern variation : see below for more
information
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| Showing species
characteristics... |
Photo Alain Diringer
Reunion,
Cap la Houssaye, Saint Paul, 13 September 2008
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Remarks :
 We found in our country 4 species derived from Hypselodoris maculosa complex : H. bertschi, H. maculosa and H. yarae
Bibliographic data :
Similar
pattern of lines and spots found on lateral margins of the body and
foot.
Five to six unipinnate gill branches having a translucent white base
and inner margin and bright red–orange pigment on outer surface margin.
Bulb of perfoliate rhinophores opaque white, with two red transverse
bands and bearing ~11 densely arranged lamellae. Base of rhinophores
translucent white.
Etymology : This small but striking species is named for author Rebecca
Johnson’s daughter, Juniper Rodgers. Juniper, also one of a kind, loves
bright colours and patterns, and when she was only 4 years old said,
‘Slugs are just like land nudibranchs’. This nudibranch is for you..
References :
Bill Rudman Seaslug site : Sea Slug Forum : Hypselodoris
maculosa
Nudipixel Hypselodoris
maculosa
Publications :
Epstein, H. E.;
Hallas, J. M.; Johnson, R. F.; Lopez, A.; Gosliner, T. M. (2018).
Reading between the lines: revealing cryptic species diversity and
colour patterns in Hypselodoris nudibranchs (Mollusca:
Heterobranchia: Chromodorididae). Zoological Journal of the
Linnean Society. 48: 1-74
Other photos of Hypselodoris juniperae
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Hugues Flodrops
Reunion, Saint
Leu, 18 September 2007, less 1m, size 25 mm.
The rhinophore stalks are translucent white and the
clubs are white with two broad orange bands,
one at the base and another just below the tip.
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Emmanuel Eby
Reunion, Saint
Leu, 17 November 2004, size 10-15 mm.
Rq : A very strange
specimen...
- The characteristic pattern with
four longitudinal white lines is almost disappear... Only rows of white
dots....
- The orange margin is present all around
the mantle...
Variations visible in this specimen
:
- The white lines on the back are
break into a series of short streaks
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There are many pinkish-purple spots on the mantle beetween the
different white lines and also the posterior part of the foot
- Two orange bands on the
rhinophore
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Alain Benoît Rassat
Madagascar, Nosy Bé, Anémone,
15 m, 2 August 2012, size : about 40 mm
Rq : A very strange
specimen...
- The characteristic pattern with
four longitudinal white lines is disappear... Only white dots....
- The orange margin is well developped all
around the mantle...
Variations visible in this specimen
:
- There are many pinkish-purple
spots on the mantle and also the posterior part of the foot
- Two orange bands on the
rhinophore
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| More photos from Indian Ocean |
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Mayotte,
Hypselodoris juniperae without white longitudinal band, at Sakouli, by
Eva Fontaine
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