Chromodoris sp.

Photo courtesy of Mark Strickland
"Three Islets" off the coast of southern Myanmar

Chromodoris sp. (Undescribed)

Here is another fantastic species introduced to us by Mark Strickland,from southern Myanmar. While it superficially looks very much like Chromodoris tinctoria and/or C. reticulata (for those of you who still use this name) (See Rudman for a discussion of these names), there are subtle external differences. The first is that the spots are not connected into a reticulated pattern. Mary Jane Adams has submitted a specimen to the Form from Myanmar that looks very similar to Marks, here, but Rudman argues that the spots on Mary Jane’s specimen are red rings, and fit the more typical reticulate color pattern of C. tinctoria . I agree.

While I agree that the variability of C. tinctoria is huge, I have yet seen this variation yet. Only examination of the internal anatomy will tell.

Thanks Mark for bringing another Thai creature to the table. Mark’s previous discoveries include – Halgerda stricklandi and Reticulidia suzanneae

Mark Strickland has had a close relationship with the sea since an early age. Growing up in Florida, he has worked many years as an ocean lifeguard, boat captain, and diving instructor. Mark's passion for underwater photography has led him to many of the world's best diving areas, including Australia, the Caribbean, Galapagos, Indonesia, Papua New Guinea and many other destinations throughout the Indo-Pacific and elsewhere. While each of these areas offered something special, many of Mark's favorite dives are in the vicinity of Phuket, Thailand, where he's been based since 1988. Most of each year, Mark works for Fantasea Divers, serving as Cruise Director / Photo- Pro on their live-aboard vessel, Ocean Rover . An avid marine naturalist, Mark has discovered several new species of nudibranchs, including one that is named for him, Halgerda stricklandi

Send Mark email at Oceanimprs@aol.com or visit the Ocean Rover website

Puerto Vallarta, Mexico
March 2005

Ali Hermosillo and Dave 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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