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Dendrodoris sp.
Image courtesy of Alexandre LaportePhoto taken at Etang-Sale, Reunion Island at 1m depth, Indian Ocean
Sony DSC-TX30
Alexandre Laporte
 | Dendrodoris sp. (undescribed) This new guy is not only fantastic but it is huge, over 140 mm in length. It filled the palm of Alex's hand. How could such a large animal go undiscovered in only 1 meter of water? Well maybe because Reunion Island is largely uninvestigated. The sculpturing on the dorsum is a bit like some specimens of Dendrodoris tuberculosa, see page 272, lower left in Nudibranch and Sea Slug Identification: , but not really. In Alex's specimen these features are a pit separated and surrounded by ridges, not a tubercle. Each pit has a white spot at its center. Similar spots can be seen randomly between the rides also. These spots have a fine red outline. The gill is large, covering most of the posterior end of the beast, and is yellow tipped in red. The rhinophores are white. We know very little about this animal, but Alexandre and dive partner Christophe Cadet, will be keeping their eyes open and reporting their findings to us. Thanks guys.
Sammamish, WA 98074 Jan., 2016 Send Dave email at davidwbehrens@gmail.com
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WEBMASTER'S NOTES:
Well, once again when you think you have seen it all, Alexandre's incredible photograph comes to the forefront to remind us that mother nature has an unending bounty of goodies to show us!
"... Hello. My name is Alexandre Laporte. Christophe CADET recommended that I study nudibranchs at Reunion Island. I'm fascinated about nature since always. I'm usually specialized in insects but since this year I discovered a new passion for nudidbranchs. This Nudibranch was found in 18 March 2015, in rocky area at a depth of 1m, at Etang-Sale (Reunion island)..."
Welcome to the club Alexandre!
Send Alexandre mail at alex_portman974@hotmail.com
San Diego, Calif
Jan. 2016
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