Dermatobranchus sp.

Photo courtesy of Dave Behrens

Mar., 2008

Dermatobranchus sp. (Undescribed blue spotted arminid)

We have known about this species for years from photographs sent to us. With no specimens to examine, the species has gone unnamed. Last October we hit the jackpot and found the species during our “First Ever Peninsular Malaysia Branch Expedition.” Our head dive guide Kay led us right to the species on a sandy slope at Pulau Tioman, off the east coast of Peninsular Malaysia. Discovered right at dusk, the specimens were cruising just below the surface of the coral sand in search of sea pens.

This species will be named in a forthcoming paper authored by colleagues Gosliner and Fahey. Until them we just refer to it as the blue spotted arminid, referring to its distinctive blue spots breaking up the orange marginal line. It size was to about 30-35 mm. Currently it recorded geographic range includes Indonesia and Malaysia.

---