Okenia brunneomaculata

Photo courtesy of Webmaster
Tulamben, Bali, Indonesia
Oct., 2001

One of the other six new species described in Gosliner’s 2004 monograph on Indo-Pacific Okenia, Sakishimaia, Hopkinsiella and Hopkinsia, is Okenia brunneomaculata.

One of the more cryptic species of Okenia, O. brunneomaculata is small, 4-6 mm in length, translucent white with a lateral band of irregular chocolate brown spots and similar spots scattered over the notum. These brown spots are why Terry named the species, brunneomaculata. This species has 5-6 pairs of marginal papillae, the two anterior most which are in front of the rhinophores and pointed forward. There are also 4-7 medial dorsal papillae in front of the gill.

The species is known only from Luzon, Philippines and Bali, Indonesia. I am unaware of its photo being published anywhere in the literature. It bears some external similarity to Okenia mija from southern Australia, but is distinct from that temperate species.

Once again, if you would like a low resolution PDF copy of Terry’s paper, you can request one from Webmaster Mike, or myself at – dbehrens@schaferlabs.com.

Gosliner, Terrance M. 2004. Phylogenetic systematics of Okenia, Sakishimaia, Hopkinsiella and Hopkinsia (Nudibranchia: Goniodorididae) with descriptions of new species from the tropical Indo-pacific. Proc. California Academy of Sciences 55(5): 125-161.

David W. Behrens Author: Pacific Coast Nudibranchs Co-Author Coral Reef Animals of the Indo Pacific Proprietor of Sea Challengers Natural History Books Send Dave mail at dave@seachallengers.com

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