This species has been observed on Reunion, Mauritius and Mayotte Islands
Order : Nudibranchia
Suborder : Euctenidiacea
Superfamily : Doridoidea
Family : Discodorididae
Distribution :
Tropical Indo-West Pacific
Maximal size :
230 mm
Abundance : From time to time on the different
natural environment
Species characteristics :
A relatively soft mantle, covered with numerous soft pointed tubercles,
mottled with light brown colours and a few dark brown patches
The underside of the mantle is translucent white with a distinct submarginal dark-brown band.
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Showing species characteristics... |
Photo Philibert Bidgrain
Reunion, Etang salé on a rocky coast, 5 November 2006, size 100 mm |
See more about : Sightening and mating periods
See more about : Sebadoris nubilosa variability in Southwest Indian ocean
See more about : Sebadoris nubilosa swim...
Remarks :
Identification confirmed by Bill Rudman
Synonymous (according worms) :
- Archidoris nubilosa,
(Pease, 1871)
- Doris nubilosa, Pease, 1871
- Argus indicus,
O.Donoghue, 1932
- Thordisa crosslandi, Eliot, 1903
- Diaulula gigantea, Bergh, 1905
Bibliographic data :
The underside of the mantle is translucent white with a distinct
submarginal dark-brown band. Between this band and the body are
scattered large brown spots. There are also numerous opaque white spots
(see Sonia Ribes Beaudemoulin specimen). The sole of the foot are
creamish white or yellowish with dark brown spots.
The dorsum is covered with large, dark, oval patches, which are larger
in the centre of the dorsum. There are also numerous small opaque white
spots.
The dorsum is covered with soft, thin and pointed papillae. Some of the
papillae are larger than the rest, and have a elongate prolongation on
the tip. Larger papillae are surrounded by several small ones.
The rhinophoral and branchial sheaths have small papillae, similar to those on the rest of the dorsum.
The small lamellate rhinophores are white with brown speckling and
with white apices
Gills : The
five tripinnate branchial leaves
are creamish and brown, and they
form a complete circle around the anus.
The animal can swim if disturbed by slow dorso-ventral flexions of the
hole body. Swimming does not involve undulations of the mantle margin
as Hexabranchus sanguineus
If disturbed it can autotomise the whole or part of the mantle skirt.
S. Nubilosa probably feeds on siliceous sponges
Otinodoris raripilosa could be confused with Sebadoris nubilosa but Sebadoris nubilosa has distinguishable, soft, dorsal papillae.
References :
Bill Rudman Seaslug site : Sea Slug Forum : Sebadoris nubilosa
Publications :
Valdes, A (2002), A phylogenetic analysis and systematic revision of
the cryptobranch dorids (Mollusca, Nudibranchia, Anthobranchia). Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society, 136, 535-636
Dayrat B. (2010). A monographic revision of basal discodorid sea slugs
(Gastropoda, Opisthobranchia, Nudibranchia, Doridina). Proceedings of
the California Academy of Sciences. Series 4, vol. 61, suppl. I, 1-403,
382 figs.
Edmunds, (1971): Opisthobranchiate Mollusca from Tanzania (suborder Doridacea). Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society 50(4), 339-396. (Pl.1)
Marcus, Er. & Marcus, Ev. (1970) Opisthobranch mollusks from the southern tropical Pacific. Pacific Science , 24(2): 155-179
Kay, E.A. & Young, D.K. (1969) The Doridacea (Opisthobranchia: Mollusca) of the Hawaiian Islands . Pacific Science , 23(2): 172-231
Pease, W.H. (1871) Descriptions of new species of Nudibranchiate Mollusca inhabiting Polynesia . No.2. American Journal of Conchology . 7 (1): 11-19
Other photos of Sebadoris nubilosa :
Philibert Bidgrain
Reunion, Etang salé on a rocky coast, 5 November 2006, size 100 mm
On right : Gill's detail. The
five tripinnate branchial leaves
are creamish and brown, and they
form a complete circle around the anus.
The branchial sheath has small papillae, similar to those on the rest of the dorsum. Below :
The
underside of the mantle is creamish white with a distinct submarginal
dark-brown band. Between this band and the body are scattered large
brown spots. |
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Philibert Bidgrain
Mayotte, Hamouro, plage du phare, less 1 m, 3 February 2012, size : 25-30 mm |
On this small spécimen from Mayotte Island:
- On the dorsum, there are only pale brown patches.
- On the
underside the submarginal dark-brown band isn't present, there are only
small brown spots....
Juvénile tr local form of this species??? |
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Sonie Ribes Beaudemoulin
Reunion, Trois Bassins lagoon, 5 m from the beach under a dead coral, 6 January 2008, size : more than 100 mm
The five tripinnate branchial leaves are creamish and brown, and they form a complete circle around the anus.
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The
underside of the mantle is creamish white with a distinct submarginal
dark-brown band. Between this band and the body are scattered large
brown spots.
There are also numerous opaque white spots (observed in this specimen). The sole of the foot are creamish white or yellowish with dark brown spots. |
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Philippe Bourjon
Reunion, "la bobine", L'Hermitage , Saint Gilles, less 1 m, 29 May 2009, size : 160-200 mm
Detail of one rhinophore :
The rhinophoral sheaths have small papillae, similar to those on the rest of the dorsum.

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Alain Barrère
Reunion, On this specimen, the sole of the foot are creamish white with dark brown spots. |
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More photos from Indian Ocean
See more about : Sebadoris nubilosa variability in Southwest Indian ocean
See more about : Sebadoris nubilosa swim...
Reunion, Sebadoris nubilosa, at Saint Leu, by Philippe Cao Van
Reunion, a very large S nubilosa, at Saint Gilles, by Hugues Flodrops
Reunion, S. nubilosa on Pavona cactus, at Saint Gilles, by Sonia Ribes Beaudemoulin
Reunion, underside of Sebadoris nubilosa with opaque white spots, at Saint Gilles, by Philippe Bourjon
Reunion, Sebadoris nubilosa crawling during the night on the sand, at La Saline, by Philibert Bidgrain
Reunion, Sebadoris nubilosa partially eaten, at Saint Leu, by Philippe Bourjon
Mauritius, Sebadoris nubilosa at Pointe d'Esny, by Geoffrey Summers
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