Goniobranchus sp.

Image courtesy of Stewart Clarke

Goniobranchus sp. (third new species from Abu Dhabi)

So this is Stewart's third incredible new species find from the marina at the Viceroy Hotel in Abu Dhabi, UAE. Can you believe this? See Goniobranchus sp. and Goniobranchus sp. for the first two.

Completely different from the first two unknowns, this species has a translucent notum covered with maroon pigmentation. It has a thin white marginal band, followed by a wider maroon band. Between this band and the central notal coloration is a series of yellow and white mantle glands, which likely produce chemical metabolites for the slug's defense.

The gill and rhinophores have a smattering of maroon with white outline.

Three distinctly different undescribed species all living together on the silty bottom of this luxury marina. Unbelievable!

WEBMASTER'S NOTES: Folks, there is a new kid on the block bookwise. This one you can't do without if your are a frequent traveler to the Anilao area of the Philippines. The price is definitely right at $15! The I-book is a guide to the nudibranchs and other sea slugs seen during the 1st Nudibranch Festival, 2016 in Anilao in the Batangas region of Luzon Island in the Philippines. Over 490 species are described and illustrated many with multiple images and with general information of the the families and groups. This is the first guide to these beautiful molluscs in this area. For ordering information, please go to Anilao Nudibranch E-Book!

Stewart and friend

Stewart has been living and working in the United Arab Emirates for 9 years after escaping from the grey skies of the UK. It has only been during the last 5 years that he has been systematically searching for Nudibranchs in the surrounding waters of Eastern Arabia, and to date has recorded 300 species for the area. He believes there are still many more to discover especially in the less dived reefs of Western Abu Dhabi and hopes to bring a number of them to the BOW in the future. He helps run a Facebook page called UAEbranchers that records and discusses local Nudibranch discoveries. Stewart also posts a selection of his photos on instagram: @moistmacro as well as on the www.moistmacro.com website I have also collated some of my photos in an album on my photography website Stewart Clarke UAE May., 2017 Send Stewart email at stewartclarke@hotmail.com

From left to right, Terry Gosliner, Angel Valdes, Dave Behrens La Jolla, Calif. Send Dave email at davidwbehrens@gmail.com

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