Geitodoris lutea Baba, 1937

Description

Body length about 32 mm. Doridiform and somewhat flattened, with the mantle projecting beyond the foot all around. The back is closely covered with tiny granules; all granule tips and the rhinophore clavi are dark brown. The rhinophore sheath has a granulated margin. Six branchial plumes form a circle around the anal papilla (three on each side, the last pair bifurcated), and can be withdrawn into a cavity with a granulated margin. The oral tentacles are digitate. The foot is elongate-oval, the bilabiate front end is rounded off and the hinder end comes to a blunt point. General colour of the back yellow with a darker shade towards the centre; underside also yellow.

Distribution

Type locality: near Tomioka, Amakusa (Kumamoto Pref., Japan).

Etymology

The specific epithet lutea is the Latin adjective for "yellow", in reference to the yellow body ground colour.

Remarks

All original specimens were collected on a yellow sponge. Allied to Geitodoris capensis in colour and general form, but distinguished by the closely-set granules on the dorsum.

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References

• Geitodoris lutea, Baba K. (1937). Opisthobranchia Of Japan (II). Journal of the Faculty of Agriculture, Kyushu University. 5(7): 289-344. https://doi.org/10.5109/22586
• ハケジタウミウシ（新稱）, 馬場菊太郎 & 濱谷巌. (1952). 紀州産後鰓類目録. 南紀生物. Supplement 1: 1-11.
• 高岡生物研究会. (2002). 日本海のウミウシ. 第2版.