Home
Acknowledgments
Conventions
Glossary
Maps
References
Links
Articles
Thumbnails
Species list
Family
Next species
_______________
 
Additional Photos
 

parapodia
 

underside
 

papillae detail
 

light
 



 
Elysia
cf. trisinuata Baba, 1949
 
Elysia cf. trisinuata
Maximum size:  20 mm.

Identification:  This species is olive green, faintly mottled in red-brown. The parapodia have three low chimneys frosted with white and the papillate rhinophores may be tipped in brick red or frosted with white. The body surface is covered with small papillae giving it a felt-like appearance and scattered, more-elongate papillae are tipped with white. The inner surfaces of the parapodia have many elevated veins.

Natural history:  Elysia cf. trisinuata is a rare species known from only two animals. The French Frigate Shoals animal was found, during sorting, in a sample of Codium sp. collected from shallow water, probably at less than 1 m (3 ft). The Maui animal was found on Codium sp. in shallow water. It almost perfectly mimics the appearance of its host algae and is known to feed on Codium elsewhere in the Pacific.

Distribution:  Maui and French Frigate Shoals: widely distributed in the central and western Pacific.

Taxonomic notes:  This species matches most animals labeled Elysia trisinuata on-line. However, it's listed in Gosliner, et. al., 2008 as "Elysia sp. 18" and as "Elysia sp. 28" in Gosliner, et. al, 2018. Meanwhile, the photographs of E. trisinuata from Sagami Bay posted on the Sea Slug Forum by Cynthia Trowbridge appear to have smoother, more truncated rhinophores. So, the status of the name is uncertain. It was first recorded in Hawaii by the 2006 CREEF expedition on Oct. 22, 2006. The name means "having three bends."

Photo:  CP: 20 mm: 2006 CREEF expedition; French Frigate Shoals; Oct. 22, 2006.

Observations and comments:

Note 1: 
Thumbnails
Species list
Family Next species Top