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This species has been observed on Madagascar Island

Order : Nudibranchia Suborder : Euctenidiacea Superfamily : Onchidoridoidea Family : Goniodorididae Distribution : Western Pacific and Madagascar Maximal size : 12 mm Abundance : Species characteristics : This species is described as having a white body, including white tentacular anterior foot corners and white dorso-lateral processes. The oral tentacles have a white base but are primarily reddish-brown or orange. The gills are white with reddish-brown or orange edging on the dorsal side. The rhinophores clubs are similarly white with reddish-brown or orange at the tip and down the dorsal surface. The posterior tip of the foot has blue-grey pigment with an occasional orange pigment spot
	Showing species characteristics...	Photo Alain-Benoît Rassat Madagascar, Nosy bé, ledge, 20 m, 8 June 2016, size : 10 mm

See more about : Sightening and mating periods

Remarks :

Identification confirmed by Hsini Lin
    Like in other specimens an orange coloration is also visible in the tentacular anterior foot which did not corresponded to the original description
    Synonymous : (according Worms)
          - No other name

Bibliographic data :

The body shape is elongate and convex, without a distinct notal margin. The body is widest in the branchial region. The head is rounded anteriorly and the anterior foot margin is extended into elongate tentacles. The oral tentacles are relatively short and stout with a rounded apex. The posterior end of the foot is sharply tapered with a somewhat rounded posterior tip.
    The non-retractile, perfoliate rhinophores are relatively short with 6–7 lamellae. The stalk and the apex are similar in thickness
    The extra-rhinophoral appendages are relatively short, thin and have a curved apex.
    The gill consists of three bipinnate branches.
    The extra-branchial appendages are curved, about the same size as the extra-rhinophoral appendages.
    Externally, this species most closely resembles Trapania aurata from Hong Kong and T. gibbera from Papua New Guinea, Indonesia and Okinawa.
All three species have white bodies and orange or yellow pigment on the oral tentacles, the rhinophores and gill leaves and/or appendages but
            - T. gibbera have a black line along the anterior end of the head, between the oral tentacles and light blue colouration on the tip of the foot.
            - In T. aurata the yellow to orange markings are present on the foot, tentacles, extra-rhinophoral and extra-branchial appendages, while in T. vitta the orange or red markings are limited to the oral tentacles, rhinophores, gill and foot.
    Etymology : The specific name vitta is from the Latin word meaning ‘ribbon' or ‘band' to describe the bands of orange or reddish brown colouration on the rhinophores and gill leaves

References :

Bill Rudman Seaslug site : Sea Slug Forum : Trapania vitta
   Nudipixel Trapania vitta
   Okinawa Seaslug Trapania vitta

Publications :

Gosliner, T.M. & Fahey, S.H. (2008)  Systematics of Trapania (Mollusca: Nudibranchia: Goniodorididae) with descriptions of 16 new species Systematics and Biodiversity , 6 (1): 53-98

Other photos of Trapania vitta :

Alain-Benoît Rassat Madagascar, Nosy bé, ledge, 20 m, 8 June 2016, size : 10 mm   Like in other specimens an orange coloration is also visible in the foot corner( a) The gill consists of three bipinnate branches (b)

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