Goniodoris sp. 2

Image courtesy of Jim Black
Anilao, Batangas, Philippines
Nikon D-300 in Subal Housing with Ikelite strobes.
Copyright 2011, Jim Balck

Jim had originally ID'ed this little guy as a Trapania, but the prominent notal ridge, and the absence of extrabranchial appendages places it in the genus Goniodoris. Although both genera are members of the family Goniodorididae, Trapania lacks a notal ridge, and has a pair of curved extrarhinophoral and extrabranchial appendages. Internally, radular differences also distinguish the two genera, Trapania feeding on ectoprocts (small colonial animals commensal with sponges), while goniodorids feed on tunicates. Tiny in size, usually under 12 mm, there are many known undescribed species. We refer to this guy, with the burnt orange marginal and yellow submarinal bands around the foot and on the oral tentacles, as Goniodoris sp. 2 on page 125 of Indo-Pacific Nudibranchs and Sea Slugs.

Jim's documentation of the species nicely fills in its geographic range adding the Philippines to - South Africa, Madagascar, Papua New Guinea, Malaysia, Palau and Japan.

WEBMASTER'S NOTES : I suspect the challenge was really on when Jim found this guy! Photographing a guy this small brings together all the skills that a U/W photographer can muster. As you can see from above, Jim is a master of all these skills! Once again, Jim brings to the forefront a slug most of us would probably swim right over and never notice. Great job Jim!

Jim Black on location in Thailand with friend

Jim is retired from US Airways after 27 years as a pilot..., flying Captain on an Airbus 330 Internationally. Diving since 1970...with over 5200 dives logged. Shoots Nikon D-300 in Subal Housing with Ikelite strobes. Macro Mate on 105mm for supermacro . Jim's photography has been featured in a number of books and publications including Helmut Debelius' Nudibranchs and Sea Snails of Gosliner, Behrens and Williams Coral Reef Animals of the Indo-Pacific. A photo of Jim petting a shark in "Sleeping Shark Caves" off Isla Mujeres Island, Mexico, taken by Amy Foster his significant other, recently appeared in Dave Behrens' Diving Guide to Cozumel, Cancun & The Riviera Maja. Send Jim email at jim.black14@verizon.net Jim has been a solid supporter of the Slug Site since day one. His countless contributions put him near the top of the list of photographers who have greatly expanded our knowledge of sea slugs. There are a lot of kids in the formative stage of their education who are getting their first introduction to our sea slug friends via the great photographs Jim and other contributors have made to the site. My hat is off to Jim for making this presentation possible!

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