Thorunna sp. 9

Image courtesy of Anthony Berberian
Marquesas Is.
Thorunna sp. 9 (in NSSI 2nd Ed)

Anthony Berberian has contributed over three dozen "new" undescribed species to the First and Second editions of Nudibranchs and Sea Slugs Identification. The last two BOW's BOW 1199 & BOW 1200 are just a couple.

With Anthony's permission here is another absolutely amazing beast - A new Thorunna.

We can clearly see the defensive chemical secreting mantle glands on the anterior and posterior edges of the dorsum. The bright body colors advertise the potency of this highly evolved defensive strategy. What a beauty. If these colors are not an indication to a predator to stop - what is?

No text is needed to describe this species - just enjoy the photo.

Not unlike the amazing impressionistic creations of the French artist Eugene Henry Paul Gauguin, who spent the last ten years of his life in French Polynesia, the waters there seem to be teaming with equally colorful and outrageously gorgeous creatures. Thank you, Anthony.



Dave Behrens
Sammamish, WA 98074
Jun., 2021
Send Dave email at davidwbehrens@gmail.com



Dr. Anthony Berberian
Our friend Anthony is a MD, specialized in lab medicine (haematology and immunology), emergency medicine, catastrophe medicine, hyperbaric and diving medicine. Most of his diving centers around Tahiti and the Tuamotu Archipelago, but he has also led expeditions to Papua New Guinea and the Marquesas.

Anthony is a decorated photographer having received "Our World Underwater" - Best of Show in 2015 and Wildlife Photographer of the Year in 2017.

Anthony has contributed over three dozen photos of undescribed French Polynesian species to our Nudibranchs and Sea Slugs Identification editions.

Send Anthony email at arava12@yahoo.fr

Dave Behrens
Sammamish, WA 98074
Jun., 2021


Attention all you Sluggers, and you know who you are!

The NSSI 2nd edition is now available in ebook PDF and book form . The hard back version will become available Nov. 1st. Both will cost $65 (individually).

You will need to jump through a few hoops to get the electronic version as pdf distribution is protected by Adobe ID!! Please read the following to enable reading your electronic purchase!

This new 2nd Edition is updated and reorganized, including 185 new species. Among other features, the new edition includes additional photographs of species, an identification key, and an up-to-date classification reflecting the latest evolutionary relationships. The Indo-Pacific represents the largest expanse of tropical ocean in the world, stretching from the Indian Ocean coast of southern Africa and the Red Sea to the central Pacific of the Hawaiian Islands, Easter Island and the Marquesas.

This region supports the most diverse marine fauna of any place in the world for most groups of marine organisms. The nudibranchs and sea slugs are no exception to this rule; there are about 3,000 described species of these organisms in the world and at least 40% of these have been found exclusively in the Indo-Pacific tropics. This book illustrates 2,138 Indo-Pacific nudibranchs and sea slugs, including many undescribed species.


From left to right, Terry Gosliner, Angel Valdes, Dave Behrens La Jolla, Calif.

Send Dave email at davidwbehrens@gmail.com

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