![]() |
Hoplodoris flammea
Fahey & Gosliner, 2003
Hoplodoris flammea has thus far been found only from Bali. It was named for its fiery red central notum color. The notum is covered with large, rounded tubercles and the rhinophores are close-set and tall. The rhinophore and gill sheaths are raised with irregular edges and have small rounded tubercles on the sides and the rim. Hoplodoris flammea is superficially similar to H. bifurcata in that both species have a central dorsum color that is distinct from the surrounding mantle coloration. Hoplodoris flammea has a bright red color, while the central color of H. bifurcata is more reddish-brown. Both species have complex, variegated ground coloration with mottled shades of grays and browns.
Both have elongate rhinophores with deep tan lamellar regions and white tips. The gill leaves of both species are feathery and tan in color. But Hoplodoris flammea lacks the small black spots on the notum that are present in H. bifurcata .
Further, the
internal anatomy, particularly the radular morphology, differs between these
species. It is the combination of morphological characters, external, radular and
reproductive that distinguishes H. flammea as a separate Hoplodoris species.
Fahey, S. J. & Gosliner, T. M. 2003. Mistaken identities: On the Discodorididae
genera Hoplodoris Bergh, 1880 and Carminodoris Bergh, 1889 (Opisthobranchia,
Nudibranchia).
Proceedings of the California Academy of Sciences 54(10):169-208.
Webmaster's Notes:: The above paper can be downloaded in *.pdf
form from the Academy . Proceed down to publications 2003 and click on the paper.
Photo courtesy of Terry Gosliner
Taxonomic text courtesy of Shireen Fahey
![]()
Send Shireen email at sfahey@calacademy.org |