Discodoris boholensis

Photo courtesy of Dr. Marc Chamberlain
Photo taken at Kukungan Bay Resort, Indonesia, Aug. 2000

Discodoris boholensis Bergh, 1877

Discodoris boholensis is one of my favorite tropical dorid nudibranchs. I'm not really sure why, but it must have something to do with the fact that it so photogenic, as seen here. Originally described from the island of Bohol, in the Philippines, it is recognizable by its brown color with black and white spots and lines on the body. The notum is relatively flat with undulating margins and a prominent central hump. The white specks on the rhinophores and white lines along each branch of the gills make this species a particularly nice photo subject.

Details regarding the egg mass of D. boholensis can be seen in a pic taken on a May field trip to the Philippines. Discodoris boholensis is a sponge grazer, but is often seen crawling about in the open.

It has a wide distribution, from South Africa (Tanzania and Madagascar) to Australia; Fiji; New Guinea; Indonesia; Philippines and Okinawa.

Dave Behrens
Danville, Calif
Sept. 2000

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Marc Chamberlain is by vocation a neurologist and by avocation a wildlife photographer. He enjoys traveling during which he is always toting cameras. His diving holidays have been to the Carribean, up and down the west coast of the Americas and throughout the Indo-Pacific. His photographs have appeared in numerous magazines including: National Geographic; International and National Wildlife; Ocean Realm; Outside; and various Cousteau Society publications. Marc has collaborated on several books with marine biology themes. Marc was also San Diego Underwater Photographic Society Photographer of the Year six times during the time he lived in the San Diego County area. Marc has participated in thirteen consecutive San Diego Underwater Society Film Festivals which has to be a club record! Send Marc mail at marc.c.chamberlain@kp.org

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Taxonomic information courtesy of Dave Behrens
Photograph courtesy of Dr. Marc Chamberlain

David W. Behrens Author: Pacific Coast Nudibranchs Co-Author Coral Reef Animals of the Indo Pacific Propriator of Sea Challengers Natural History Books ! Send Dave mail at seachalleng@earthlink.net

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