Bornella sp. e299

This unidentified Bornella is found primarily at night in ledges and small caves on the slopes of lagoon pinnacles at depths of 8 to 15 meters. It may be the same species as Bornella sp. e312 and if so, may also lilve at the same depths and times in seaward reef channels. Sizes ranged from 19 to about 50mm. Externally these can be distinguished from B. stellifer by the lack of orange subapical rings on the dorsolateral processes, and from Bornella sp. e312 by the lack of a black mass in the anterior portion (at least) of the alimentary canal visible through the translucent body wall. Bornella sp. e486 has a distinct red network externally and much smaller posterior papillae on the rhinophoral sheaths. Bornella cf japonica, on the other hand, has an even more distinct red network on the body and very white, less cylindrical dorsolateral processes. At least some of these also have quite different radulae.

A closeup of the anterior end and rhinophore processes shows a posterior papilla twice as tall as the rhinophore.

Created 20 January 2007
Updated 24 June 2008