Platydoris cruenta (Quoy & Gaimard, 1832)

Platydoris cruenta is rare in the Marshalls, known from five specimes from Kwajalein, Enewetak, and Ujelang Atolls. Both of the animals figured below are from Kwajalein. Specimens were found under dead coral on lagoon reefs at depths of 1 to 10 meters. One specimen measured 35mm in length. The first photo below was taken by David Johnson, formerly of Kwajalein. The blotches of color on the dorsal surface can vary from orange to red, although only orange ones are figured here. Platydoris cruenta is very similar in shape and texture to P. formosa, but differs in having brown lines dorsally instead of P. formosa's fine sieve-like network of brown speckles. Rhinophores of P. formosa are also a bit more brownish red. Still, we haven't seen a sufficient number of specimens to be certain that they are not simply two color forms of the same species.

Created 15 December 2006