Fireworks nudibranch
Fireworks nudibranch
Fireworks nudibranch egg ribbon
All photos Guido Zsilavecz
On 15 April 2007 under the News 2007 section we reported on the sighting of an unknown species of aeolid nudibranch, which we tentatively placed in the genus Eubranchus (and number 4 as there are 3 unknown ones in Terry Gosliner's guide book already).
The 2007 individuals were seen at the Di's Cracks divesite, and interestingly enough, was seen that weekend by Di Froude (after whom the dive site is named) as well. It has taken us until now to see the species again. This time we only saw the yellow-tipped version, not the one with red, but they were larger than the first ones (but still small at under 2cm length.)
What alerted us to their presence were the distinct egg ribbons on hydroids - and after searching a bit we found two specimens.
After finding it in 2007 SURG submitted a question to Bill Rudman of the Seaslug forum, who suggested that it is most likely not Eubranchus, but rather a member of the genus Cuthona. We have not managed to collect any specimens, so for now we are not sure.
For the sea slug forum entry, see here:
http://www.seaslugforum.net/display.cfm?id=19954
Nudibranchs of the Cape Peninsula and False Bay, G Zsilavecz, 2007
Nudibranchs of Southern Africa - a guide to the opisthobranch molluscs of southern Africa, T Gosliner, 1987.