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Felimida socorroensis
Image courtesy of Ali HermosilloIsla Revillagigedo Islands, Mexico
Felimida socorroensis (Behrens, Gosliner & Hermosillo, 2009)
Originally described as Chromodoris socorroensis, this tiny chromodorid nudibranch is very common on the rocky pinnacles of the Isla Revillagigedo group of islands.
Its coloration set its way apart from any other chromodorid from this region. The ground color is white with large orange-red blotches on the dorsum. The rhinophores and gill are white tipped with pink. There are two distinct translucent clearings, outlined in white behind the rhinophores. These clearings reveal tiny eye spots.
Not much is known about this species as few divers take their eyes off the pelagic critters in the water column, that this dive spot is known for. Ticks me off when sharks take precedence over slugs. How rude. If you do look down, look for the white sponge this species feeds on.
Oh yes, the largest animals Ali found were just 10 mm in length.
References:
Behrens D.W., Gosliner T.M. & Hermosillo A. (2009) A new species of dorid nudibranch (Mollusca) from the Revillagigedo Islands of the Mexican Pacific. Proceedings of the California Academy of Sciences, (4) 60(11): 423-429
Sammamish, WA 98074
June, 2014
Send Dave email at davidwbehrens@gmail.com
Ali Hermosillo on location in the Philippines
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Ali needs very little in the way of introduction to readers of this site. She has been featured in many of the Branch of the Week (BOW) presentations through the years. Diving with Ali can be infectous assuming you can keep up with her. If you didn't have an appreciation for our friends the sea slugs before diving with her, you will certainly reach quantum levels in that regard as Ali is all consuming in her quest to photograph and document their behavior! In the last few years she even acquired her Doctorate in Opistobrach Studies so her enthusiasm certainly knows no bounds. She has the material for putting together field guides for both the Milne Bay region of PNG and also Anilao in the Batangas area of the Philippines. Let's encourage her when time permits to make that happen! As a side note Ali has posted ID's with her Flicker postings from both areas. The links can be seen in the left frame of this site. Very worth while to visit for those who are seeking to put names together with images. What more can be said, Ali is the greatest! Send Ali email at alicia_hg@prodigy.net.mx
Michael Miller |
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