Dendrodoris rainfordi J. K. Allan, 1932

Description

A large porostome dorid reaching 12–17 cm in length. The dorsum is covered with large and small blister-like tubercles, becoming smaller and more crowded towards the margin. Body colour is highly variable between individuals, but the conspicuous brown ring-shaped markings across the back are diagnostic; the patterns vary so much that the species has been likened to a "treasure map".

Distribution

Originally described from a single preserved specimen, about 16.5 cm long, taken at Port Denison, Queensland, Australia. Subsequently recorded from the Queensland coast and also from Malaysia and the Gulf of Thailand.

Etymology

The specific epithet rainfordi honours Edward Henry Rainford, an amateur naturalist with the Queensland Department of Agriculture who donated many animal specimens to the Australian Museum.

Remarks

Family Dendrodorididae are radula-less, suctorial sponge feeders. D. rainfordi is thought to feed mainly on orange sponges. After its original description the species was not recorded again for almost 70 years, but photographic records have accumulated more recently.

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References

• Dendrodoris rainfordi n. sp., Allan J.K. (1932). Australian nudibranchs. Australian Zoologist. 7(2): 87-105, pls 4-5.
• Dendrodoris rainfordi, Brodie G.D., Willan R.C. & Collins J.D. (1997). Taxonomy and occurrence of Dendrodoris nigra and Dendrodoris fumata (Nudibranchia: Dendrodorididae) in the Indo-West Pacific region. Journal of Molluscan Studies. 63(3): 407-423.
• Dendrodoris rainfordi, Terrence Gosliner, Ángel Valdés and David Behrens. (2018). Nudibranch and Sea Slug Identification Indo-Pacific 2nd Edition. New World Pubns Inc.