Eubranchus sp.

Seraya Beach, Bali, Indonesia
Photo courtesy of Christiane Waldrich
Estimated size 3 to 5 mm

Eubranchus sp. (undescribed)

Check out this wild critter from Bali, Indonesia. Spectacular, hugely inflated cerata with a nipple-like apex, contain scantly branching white digestive gland are found down the center line of the notum. Laterally, the cerata are more typical, and not inflated. Its smooth rhinophores and oral tentacles are purple. Recall that Eubranchus differs from Cuthona only by having a radula with three teeth per row, the latter having a single rachidian tooth.

Little is known about this species, which is about 5 mm in length. I am guessing that Christaine found this critter on the house reef of her new 9 room/bungalow resort – Villa Markisa .

Good show Christaine.

Christiane hails from Munich, Germany but spends most of the German winter at Villa Markisa in Bali, Indonesia. She is an accomplished underwater photographer with a focused interest in Opisthobranchs. Her species list now exceeds 250 in number and growing every dive. Not bad for a shore frontage of less than fifty yards! Camera wise Christiane is shooting a Nikon D-100 in a SeaCam housing with admirable results. She is very adept at finding the very small nudibranchs. What was really amazing was her ability to photograph sea slugs with neutral buoyancy irrespective of the heavy camera weight. Very impressive indeed! Christiane found the famous critters dive site 'Seraya Secrets' in 2003. She is in the final stages of building her her own resort 'Villa Markisa' just on the beach of Seraya Secrets in 2006 with her business partner Pedro. The resort is expected to open in the very near future!

David W. Behrens Author: Pacific Coast Nudibranchs Co-Author Coral Reef Animals of the Indo Pacific Proprietor of Sea Challengers Natural History Books Send Dave mail at dave@seachallengers.com

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