Possibly Doriopsilla sp.2. Photo Andrew Taylor.
Another photo of possibly a Doriopsilla sp.2. Photo Andrew Taylor.
The unknown "brown-spotted" nudibranch. Photo Andrew Taylor.
The unknown "brown-spotted" nudibranch. Photo Andriaan Johnson.
The unknown "brown-spotted" nudibranch. Photo Andrew Taylor.
The unknown "spiky" nudibranch. Photo Andrew Taylor.
The unknown "spiky" nudibranch. Photo Andrew Taylor.
Top These two we believe may just be Doriopsilla sp.2, as, according to Gosliner's book, it may be "translucent white to tan", and the photo in the book shows the pale white edge as shown in Andrew's photos. Note the egg case on the bottom right of the second photo. While it is not certain that it belongs to the nudibranch, it is possible. The large size of the eggs is an indication that the young are born resembling the adults, rather than a planktonic larvae.
MiddleThe next three photos are of the same species, which we cannot identify. There are numerous species of nudibranchs which are white with brown or black dots, and initially we thought this one might be Aphelodoris sp., but it lacks the white dots on the margin, has more square spots, and rhinophores set further apart.
Bottom This one is also unknown, and quite distinct from the preceeding species, in having a body covered with "spiky" tubercules. The first of the two shown does resemble Atagema rugosa, but Andrew has photographed this species and it is identical to that shown in Gosliner's book: a rough-skinned (large tubercules), with a central dorsal ridge; the only feature these two share is the "ring" of dots, but as can be seen, in this species it is not a persistent feature.
We enquired with both Dr. Gosliner and Dr. Rudman, and neither could identify any of these species from the photos give.
Thanks to Dr. Bill Rudman of the sea slug forum, at www.seaslugforum.org, and to Dr. Gosliner, for feedback.
Nudibranchs of Southern Africa - a guide to the opisthobranch molluscs of southern Africa, T Gosliner, 1987.