Verconia catalai (Rudman, 1990)

Description

Mantle ovate with a wide but thin overlap; the tapering posterior tip of the foot extends behind the mantle. Body opaque white, somewhat translucent on the inner part of the mantle skirt, with a regular pattern of red marks — spots and lines. Spots and the outer ends of the lines form a submarginal band; lines run inwards at right angles to the mantle edge towards the centre. Two prominent lines (one just behind the rhinophores, one just in front of the gills) join their counterparts on the opposite side to form complete cross-bars across the dorsum, although in some specimens the lines are little more than elongate blotches. Foot translucent white with an opaque marginal band and red spots on the posterior dorsal surface. Rhinophore stalks translucent white; tapering clubs orange-yellow. Gills translucent white with the lamellae strongly tinged red; sub-quadrangular in section. Holotype 31 mm long preserved.

Distribution

Type locality is Ilot Guétié, Ouvea, Loyalty Islands, New Caledonia, on the outer reef (20 m depth, November 1981, collected by P. Laboute). Known only from New Caledonia (the Loyalty Islands and the Aboré Barrier Reef off Noumea).

Etymology

The specific epithet catalai honours Dr René Catala, a French marine biologist who founded and directed the world-famous Noumea Aquarium for many years.

Remarks

Originally described as Noumea catalai and later transferred to Verconia. Larger than typical Noumea (holotype 31 mm preserved). The radula and reproductive system are typical for the genus. Feeds on yellow sponges.

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References

• Verconia catalai, Johnson R.F. & Gosliner T.M. (2012). Traditional taxonomic groupings mask evolutionary history: a molecular phylogeny and new classification of the chromodorid nudibranchs. PLoS ONE 7(4): e33479.