Halgerda johnsonorum Carlson & Hoff, 2000

Description

A medium-sized halgerdid dorid reaching about 28 mm in preserved length and 40 mm in life. The dorsum carries low ridges marked with yellow lines, and the grooves between the ridges bear fine black lines. The body is unusually soft and flexible for the genus. Although similar in colouration to Halgerda willeyi, it is distinguished by brown spots and lines beneath the mantle along the body sides, and brown markings on the rhinophores and gills.

Distribution

Originally described from the western seaward reef of Kwajalein Atoll, Marshall Islands. Subsequently also recorded from Pulau Aur, Malaysia.

Etymology

The specific epithet johnsonorum honours the Johnson family (Scott and his wife) for their substantial photographic contributions to sea-slug recording in the Marshall Islands; the suffix -orum is the genitive plural denoting dedication to more than one person.

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References

• Halgerda johnsonorum n. sp., Carlson C.H. & Hoff P.J. (2000). Three new Pacific species of Halgerda (Opisthobranchia: Nudibranchia: Doridoidea). The Veliger. 43(2): 154-163.
• Halgerda johnsonorum, Terrence Gosliner, Ángel Valdés and David Behrens. (2015). Nudibranch and Sea Slug Identification Indo-Pacific. New World Pubns Inc.