Verconia sp. e233
11mm

We're not sure on the identity of this one. The pattern of coloration on the rhinophores and gills appears to closely resemble Noumea hongkongiensis on the Sea Slug Forum, although that species appears to not have the occasional red dorsal spots and no mention is made of intermittent edging of the mantle with red. Verconia hongkongensis in Gosliner et al (2018) has gills that are completely red. It is also similar to Verconia decussata and V. simplex, but differs in habitat, food, shape and in the way the rhinophores and gills are colored. It may be something completely different. The 10 specimens we've seen were all on Enewetak Atoll lagoon pinnacles, under dead coral at a depth of about 10 meters. The largest was about 11mm long.

This one is nestled in and appears to be eating some brownish sponge under a bryozoan. The sponge prey also suggests it is neither V. decussata nor V. simplex.

Created 18 December 2005
Updated 4 October 2024

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