Janolus sp.

Photo courtesy of Francis and Pirjo Pellet
Dive Site Je Meluk,Amed, Bali,Indonesia
Apr. 2006

Janolus sp. (undescribed)

What a great new Janolus! . Spectacular. In trying to figure out what it was, Webmaster Mike came across the same species in Atsushi Ono’s book – Opisthobranchs of Ryukyu Islands , on page 237. We can also see a very similar animal on the Sea Slug Forum

The rhinopores and cerata are highly papillate similar to Janolus sp. from the eastern pacific (page 103 middle – Eastern Pacific Nudibranchs . While the highly papillated body gives the appearance of Janolus mirabilis , this species does not have the characteristic arrangement of the cerata into an anterior and a posterior clusters, separated by a wide clearing.

Janolids feed on bryozoans. We certainly need more information about this species – where it’s lives, what it eats, how large does it get. This fine photo is a real start.

Francis and Pirjo Pellet live in Les Vans in the Rhone Valley, France. I met Francis and Pirjo at the July, 2005 Opisthobranch Course held at Cerbere, France hosted by Robert Oms . I believe this was their third time in attending the course so that gives you an idea how enthusiastic they are about branching! They are well traveled and enjoy diving as a team to find and photograph sea slugs! Am looking forward to seeing more of their images as they certainly excel in the art of taking branch photographs! To quote Francis: "...I was born in Paris 1954. Since 1954 I have my practice as a doctor in the South of France.I started diving at the age of 15 years and I am instructor since 2004. I am interested in sea slugs since 5 years and taking pictures with Nikon Coolpix 5000 in Subal housing and 2 Inon strobes since 3 years. I am diving in France and Spain (Mediterranean Sea) and every holiday in South East Asia to discover its fabulous biodiversity.

My wife Pirjo was born in Finland and in everyday life we work as a team as we do underwater. She is Padi Dive Master and has studied marine biology with the french diving school. She is just starting taking underwater pictures with her olympus UZ 770 with Inon strobe. Our ambition is to take good pictures but above all, we want to bring a little bit happiness if possible to those who share our passion..."

Send Francis and Pirjo mail at f.pellet@medsyn.fr

What more can be said!

Webmaster
San Diego, Calif

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