Tayuva lilacina (Gould, 1852)

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 : 852

2. Tayuva lilacina (Gould, 1852)

Common name: Spotted foot nudibranch.

Two examples, South Button Island (Lat: 12°29.293′ N; Long: 92°57.167′ E), Rani Jhansi Marine National Park, South Andaman, 12.11.2019; depth 15 m, size 60 mm, registration number ZSI/ ANRC /M/24893 .

Diagnosis: A large sea slug, body ovate, broad and rigid (after preservation). Dorsal surface contains pale brown or grey numerous irregular dark spots. Each side of the notum contain dark patches and it is coated with little papillae that vary in length, and the branchia is creamy with white frosted edges. Large rhinophores and gathered gills. The pale underside has dark blotches and spots.

Status: Common.

Ecology: Two specimens (one adult 60 mm and one juvenile 8 mm) are found on coral rubble region of South Button Island (Rani Jhansi Marine National Park) up to 15 m depth ( Fig. 2c & d ).

Geographical distribution: India - Gujarat 8, Andhra Pradesh, Maharastra (Malvan, Ratnagiri), Tamil Nadu (Gulf of Mannar) 9, Kerala 6 and Andaman and Nicobar Islands (present report); elsewhere - Tropical and subtropical Indian and Pacific Oceans, Queensland, Philippines, Red Sea, South Africa, Turkey 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