Kaloplocamus acutus

Image courtesy of Dave Mullins
Gneering Shoals, Mooloolaba, Queensland, Australia
Nikon Coolpix 5000 in Subal Housing with twin Inon Z220 strobes.
Copyright 2011, Dave Mullins

Juvenile Kaloplocamus acutus

Kaloplocamus acutus Baba, 1949 Looking somewhat like a worn out scrubbing brush this appearance of Kaloplocamus acutus begs the question, does it want processes on its notum or not? The effect would seem to be a bit half-hearted with a few stumpy translucent white stalks sprouting at their ends a number of slender red papillae that look like regrowth from a recent pruning. An uncommon and unpredictably encountered species of Triophidae nudibranch K. acutus is usually found under rocks or coral slabs subtidally. The bright orange, sometimes yellow, body has white specks scattered all over. There is a remnant of the mantle edge present as a slight ridge running between the afore-described 3 or 4 processes situated laterally along each side of the notum. The oral veil bears a further 6 of these processes jutting directly outwards. The rhinophores are comparatively large and the non-retractable gills small. The foot is broad and the tail pointed. Typically observed at 30 mm to 40 mm in length although there are records of up to 78 mm. The recorded distribution of K. acutus has spread over the past few years and now encompasses from Japan south to New South Wales, Australia and sites in between, and westward from New Caledonia through Indonesia to the Andaman Islands. Diet is presumed to be bryozoans.

References:

Marshall & Willan 1999. Nudibranchs of Heron Island, Great Barrier Reef, Backhuys Publishers.
Cobb& Willan 2006. Undersea Jewels, ABRS, Canberra.
Rudman 2001 - 2008. Kaloplocamus acutus , Factsheet & Related Messages, Sea Slug Forum, Australian Museum, Sydney.

Gary Cobb and Dave Mullins
on location in Queensland, Australia

NUDIBRANCH ID iPHONE APP NUDIBRANCH ID iPHONE APP SERIES AVAILABLE NOW EASTERN PACIFIC NUDIBRANCH ID APP This second App in the series covers the Eastern Pacific and is now available from iTunes. Marine scientists, naturalists, students, divers and the world-wide community of Nudibranch enthusiasts will be able to view 420 species that live in the Eastern Pacific region from Alaska to the tip of Chile. All of the Apps include amazing color photographs, essential facts, scientific names, author and date, scientific classification, size and colors. The Facts page lists the orders and the Families page the families, with a description of what makes each unique. These are Identification Guides by Nudibranch lovers for Nudibranch lovers. Features of the Eastern Pacific App: 1. Nudibranch Facts - Information about Nudibranchs, what they are and what makes them so interesting and unique in the underwater world. 2. Species - An alphabetical listing of 420 species of Nudibranch to be found in the Eastern Pacific Region in a scrollable index that provides access to individual species pages containing a large photo and information about the selected species. 3. Families - Descriptions of the 56 Families represented in this App providing external morphology information that allows comparison and contrast between the Families. 4. Images - The Images Gallery is a scrollable screen of Nudibranch thumbnails. They are presented 4 across the screen providing 24 "at a glance" images. 5. Search - Full search ability. The search capability of this App is both convenient and comprehensive. The search is species centric displaying a list of Species in response to the search input based upon any of Order, Family, Genus, Author, Date, Size, Color, Checked off species or even just a Species name. 6. Information - About the App and tips on how to get the most out it as well as tips on getting the best search and acknowledgments. 7. The ability to check (tick) off Species and to be able to email the List. 8. Navigation around the App is extremely fast, logical and intuitive. The Eastern Pacific App is a stand alone Application built for the Apple iPhone and does not require an Internet connection. It can be purchased from the iTunes App store. Gary would like to thank all those underwater photographers who responded to The Slug Site call and kindly gave of their wonderful images to make this App possible. Gary is currently working on Four (4) new Nudibranch ID Apps that together will cover the entire world. For more information see the Nudibranch ID App Website or send Gary email at or send Gary email at gary@nudibranch.com.au

---