This species has been observed on Reunion Island

Order : Nudibranchia Suborder : Euctenidiacea Superfamily : Doridoidea Family : Discodorididae Distribution : Western and central pacific ocean and Reunion Island Maximal size : 30 mm Abundance : Species characteristics : The ground color of the notum can range from reddish brown, dark brown to a mottled gray. Some specimens have small white spots on the notum There is a large white spot in the center of notum that extends from the anterior of the gill pouch toward the midsection The notum bears short filamentous papillae dispersed throughout the dorsum The papillae, gill, and rhinophores are a contrasting tan to white color.
	Showing species characteristics...	Photo Christophe Cadet Reunion, Etang salé on the rocky coast, less 1 m, 12 December 2009, size : 20-25 mm

See more about : Sightening and mating periods

Remarks :

Identification confirmed by Terry Gosliner
    According Christophe Cadet observation, the sole of the foot is uniformly whitish
    These specimen looks like Thordisa cf. albomacula but there are some differences in Thordisa cf. albomacula :
            - There isn't a large white spot in the center of notum that extends from the anterior of the gill pouch toward the midsection
            - The notum don't bears short filamentous papillae dispersed throughout the dorsum
    Synonymous : (according Worms)
          - No other name

Bibliographic data :

The mantle color can range from brown to gray, but the single white spot is unique among all other Thordisa species. Some specime have white colored papillae surrounded by a thick white ring that creates a spotted appearance
    The six gill leaves are tripinnate and do not extend beyond the edge of the notum
    The rhinophores are lamellate and have 12 lamellae each
    Etymology: The name albomacula is the combination of the Latin words for ‘‘white spot.'' This word was given to describe the single white spot that occurs on the mantle immediately anterior to the gill of all specimens observed

References :

  SeaSlug of Hawai Thordisa albomacula
     SeaSlug from Marshall Islands Thordisa albomacula

Publications :

Chan,J.M. and Gosliner,T.M. (2007) Preliminary Phylogeny of Thordisa (Nudibranchia : Discodoridadea) with descriptions of five new species. The veliger 48(4) : 284-308.

Other photos of Thordisa albomacula :

Christophe Cadet Reunion, Etang salé on the rocky coast, less 1 m, 29 December 2011, size : 10 mm   There is a large white spot in the center of notum that extends from the anterior of the gill pouch toward the midsection

Philibert Bidgrain Reunion, Etang salé on the rocky coast, less 1 m, 24 March 2006, size : 25-30 mm

Alexandre Laporte Reunion, Etang salé on the rocky coast, less 1 m, 28 january 2017, size : 25 mm   There is a large white spot in the center of notum that extends from the anterior of the gill pouch toward the midsection (a)

Christophe Cadet Reunion, Etang salé lagoon, less 1 m, 2 January 2018, size : 12 mm

If you have taken a photo of this species in Reunion, Mauritius, Mayotte, Seychelles or Madagascar Islands, please Contact us...