UNKNOWN OKINAWAN
OPISTHOBRANCH
Glossodoris sp. 4 (39mm)
Unknown Okinawan Opisthobranch Data
Taxonomy:
- Order: NUDIBRANCHIA
- Suborder: Doridina
- Family: Chromodorididae
Frequency on Okinawa:
Collection Data:
- Individual Collection No: RFB #3440-A
- Location: Seragaki (26o 30.4'N, 127o 52.6'E) [Horseshoe
Cliffs]
- Date: 2 July, 1995 [17 May 92, 12 Jul 92, 13 Jul 92, 14 May 94, 8 May 94(6 indiv), 2 Aug 94, 20 Jul 94, 1 Jun 95, 8 Mar 95(2 indiv), 2 Jul 95]
- Depth: 220ft (67m) [140, 155, 175, 175, 180, 180, 190(6 indiv), 190, 190, 200,
220ft]
- Size: Notum 39mm [16mm, 17mm, 19mm, 21mm, 22mm. 23mm, 26mm, 29mm, 30mm, 31mm,
34mm, 39mm (4 individuals were unmeasured)]
- Water temperature at collection depth: 73oF (23oC)
- Specimen deposited: All specimens deposited with California Academy of
Sciences
[brackets indicate range for all Okinawa-collected specimens of the species]
Species Account:
Glossodoris sp. 4 is considered to be uncommon on Okinawa. I have seen and collected a total of 16 individuals since the first one was found on 17 May, 1992. Of the 16 individuals, only one has been collected from Seragaki, all others were found at Horseshoe Cliffs. One of the collections was composed of 6 individuals (only 2 of the six were measured: 29mm & 34mm; 4 others were smaller than the two measured . . . all six were
found together). In all cases, the animals were found amid mixed strewn coral rubble and
sand.
The translucent notum, covered with small, dense, white, irregular pustules, serve to make this attractive dorid distinctively unique from all other Glossodoris species found on Okinawa.
Page Date: 17 Feb '97
Page Modification Date: 16 Feb '04
Digitally manipulated photo
Copyright © 2004 Robert F. Bolland
