AuthorKienberger, K., Carmona, L., Pola, M., Padula, V., Gosliner, T.M. & Cervera, J.L.
Year2016
TitleAeolidia papillosa (Linnaeus, 1761) (Mollusca: Heterobranchia: Nudibranchia), single species or a cryptic species complex? A morphological and molecular study
TypePaper
SourceZoological Journal of the Linnaean Society Vol 177 (3): 481–506.
IllustrationsColour photographs
Review (by Malcolm Storey)

UK populations of A. papillosa hide a second pseudocryptic species, here named as Aeolidia filomenae.

They can be distinguished by dissection but also visually. The new species has slightly paler, more flattened and slightly hooked cerata.

Errata, Corrigenda & Comments

It has been suggested that "Fig 5B is not the animal which was sequenced, nor is the caption correct, so there is a mix up." 5B was the presented evidence that *A. papillosa* could have the "Y" mark.

Work is progressing on interpreting these two species in the UK context. It looks as though the main feature of *Aeolidia filomenae* may be a white triangle or "Y"-shape between the rhinophores.

Notes & PurposeStatusTaxonEnglishClassification
For identificationCurrentAeolidia filomenaea molluscAnimalia: Nudibranchia: Aeolidiidae
For identificationCurrentAeolidia papillosa/filomenaecommon grey sea slug, shagrug sea-slugAnimalia: Nudibranchia: Aeolidiidae
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