Euselenops luniceps (Cuvier, 1816)

Rajendra, S, Nigam, N K & Sivaperuman, C, 2022, A new record of Opisthobranch, Tayuva lilacina (Gould, 1852) and notes on Euselenops luniceps (Cuvier, 1816) from the Andaman Sea, India, Indian Journal of Geo Marine Sciences 51 (10), pp. 850-853 : 850-851

1. Euselenops luniceps (Cuvier, 1816)

One example, Durgapur (Lat: 12°29.293′ N; Long: 92°57.167′ E), North Andaman , 30.05.2018; depth range 5 m, size 75 mm, registration number ZSI/ANRC-22089. One example Nimbutala (Lat: 12°29.293′ N; Long: 92°57.167′ E), Middle Andaman , 25.12.2018; depth range 5 – 7 m, size 70 mm, registration number ZSI/ANRC-22085.

Diagnosis: Body flattened, wide rounded in shape, and large veil, fringed with sensory papillae. Foot considerably larger than the mantle region. Posteriorly, the mantle folds into a relatively long siphon or tube, allowing the mantle cavity and gills to remain in contact with seawater while living in the sand. The whitecolored body is abundantly dotted with deep brown spots ( Fig. 2a & b ). The colour blends with the surroundings and intimidates the predators, demonstrating no succulence with the help of bright colors. In disturbed conditions quickly disappear under the sand and camouflage making it difficult to sight. It can swim short distances.

Status: Very rare.

Ecology: One specimen is found on the sandy region (seagrass area) up to 5 m (Durgapur, Fig. 2a ) and the second specimen was found on sand and silty region of mangrove habitat (Nimbutala, Fig. 2b ).

Geographical distribution: India - Gulf of Mannar, Lakshadweep 5, and Andaman and Nicobar Islands 9; and elsewhere - Philippines to Australia, Fiji, Hawaii, tropical Indo-West Pacific. Also known from the South Africa and Tanzania 4.

Figures

Fig. 2 a, b) Ex-situ photographs of Euselenops luniceps (Cuvier, 1817): a) ZSI/ANRC/22089 (ventral view), and b) ZSI/ANRC/22085 (dorsal view); and c, d) Ex-situ photographs of Tayuva lilacina (Gould, 1852) ZSI/ANRC/M/24893: c) dorsal view, and d) ventral view