Discodoris cf mauritiana (Bergh, 1889)

This species looks as though it could be the Discodoris mauritiana? figured on the Sea Slug Forum. Although the two specimens were somewhat different in appearance and may in fact be different species, we are keeping them together for now. The upper photo is of a 22mm individual found at Enewetak Atoll, under dead coral at a depth of 6 meters on a southeastern lagoon pinnacle. The smaller specimen in the second photo was found under dead coral on the seaward reef of Kwajalein Atoll, and it measured 10mm in length.The larger specimen (or species) had a wider mantle margin fringed with opaque white, while the smaller had a narrow margin with no similar fringe of color.

The next two shots show a specimen found 1 September 2008 that had undergone severe autotomization. It is missing most of its mantle margin and including its right rhinophore. The missing portions enable us to see the reproductive opening and fairly long oral tentacles.

Created 15 December 2006
Updated 13 September 2008