Kabeiro sp.

Images courtesy of Gordon Tillen
Ducomi Pier in Bacong, Philippines
Est. Size: 4-5mm
Photo by Gordon Tillen
Kabeiro sp. (undescribed)

Yikes, another new species not included in NSSP (second edition). The systematics of this group has been recently reviewed by Shipman & Gosliner (2015), who recognized two genera, Doto and Kabeiro. I believe this is a new Kabeiro. Never seen anything like it.

Species of Kabeiro, previously included in Doto, have very elongated bodies. Most species are several times longer than wide. This shape probably helps these species to become camouflaged on the branches of the hydroids they eat.

The rhinophores are typical pulpit shaped. This species is brown and has very long lumpy cerata with broken white lines their entire length.

In Gordon's photos his specimen appears to be feeding on a campanularid hydroid. Has anyone else seen this guy. We'd like to know.

Reference:

Shipman C. & Gosliner T. (2015). Molecular and morphological systematics of Doto Oken, 1851 (sic) (Gastropoda: Heterobranchia), with descriptions of five new species and a new genus. Zootaxa. 3973(1): 57-101.

Dave Behrens
Sammamish, WA 98074
Nov. 2022
Send Dave email at davidwbehrens@gmail.com


Gordon on location

My diving career started in the cold lakes of northern Wisconsin during summer camp in 1964. I have now logged over 3000 dives. My passion for this hobby/sport kicked into high gear around 2006 when I got my first underwater camera and went to Taveuni, Fiji. It was a Canon SD 550 point and shoot. Certainly limited for wide angle, but it took amazing pictures of Nudibranchs! It ignited an obsession for underwater photography and nudi hunting that has taken me to all the corners of the Coral Triangle.

I retired and moved to the Philippines in 2008 to avoid those long international flights and have been blessed to be here for the last 14 years. I chose the island of Negros Oriental for many reasons, but mostly for the easy access to great macro/critter photography. Also being the frogfish capital was the bonus round. And the 600 plus species of nudibranchs that call it home. Being in the center of the best diving on planet earth is a dream come true.

So, as they say " I'm living the life".

Send Gordon email at gtillen@mac.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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