Gymnodoris sp. e583
17mm

This unknown species is characerized by distinct white warts scattered over the body that is otherwise marked with patches of white and more or less evenly distributed orange spots. In some ways, it is similar to Gymnodoris cf okinawae from these pages, but in that species the white lumps are low, wider, and more numerous, and the orange spots form a distinct network around the white. Also in that species, the gills form a complete circle around the anus, while in the species on this page, the gill circle is open posteriorly. The animals on this page appear to be the species called Gymnodoris sp. 3 in Gosliner et al (2018) . So far this species is known in the Marshalls only from a few specimens at Kwajalein and Majuro Atolls. The two figured below were found mating under a rock on a Kwajalein Atoll lagoon reef at a depth of 6m on 2 March 2009.

The next three shots show the larger specimen.

This is the smaller of the two. It had a bit more white background.

This shot of them mating was captured from video.

The two photos below are by Stan Jazwinski of a specimen found on a hydroid stalk on the lagoon side of Kwajalein's east reef. Since all gymnodorids whose food is known eat other opisthobranch mollusks, we suspect this Gymnodoris was preying upon hydroid-eating eolid nudibranchs.

The specimen below was found on a Kwajalein Atoll lagoon reef in 5m of water on 9 March 2009.

It has also been found at Majuro Atoll (two photos below) by Ken Cone and Beth Van Zummeren.

Mating.

Created 5 March 2009
Updated 3 August 2021

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