Dolabrifera dolabrifera (Cuvier, 1817)

Dolabrifera dolabrifera . - Bebbington 1974: 78, figs. 7F, 9 (Tanzania, Seychelles (Aldabra), Kenya, Zanzibar); Yonow and Hayward 1991: 6, fig. 5A-C (Mauritius); Yonow 2008: 102 (Red Sea); Apte 2009: 165, fig. 1i (Laccadive Islands); Richmond 2011: 278 (East Africa).

Material.

Socotra: 10 mm curled pres. (St-021, MAP-097), rocks with algae, W of Rhiy di-Diblih, Nogid, S coast, 12 March 1999, leg. M Apel. - Maldives: 60 mm approx. (49 mm pres.), in Tridacna culture tank, Marine Research Section, Malé, North Malé Atoll, 30 December 1995, leg. RC Anderson ("mottled olive green; extruded white gelatinous fluid from posterior siphon"); photos only of several individuals, March 1997, March 1998, March 1999, J Hinterkircher. - Mauritius and La Réunion: numerous individuals with various colours and textures http://seaslugs.free.fr/nudibranche/a_intro.htm. - Seychelles: photo of one individual, Lilôt, NW Mahé, 1988-1989, P Kemp.

Description/Distribution.

Preserved specimen from the Maldives are relaxed, with rhinophores and tentacles well extended, and a distinct flange present around margin; Socotra specimen very contracted and curled up. Colours of living specimens are extremely variable, and the villi may or may not be present; Dolabrifera dolabrifera can grow to 50 mm in length, and is common in the western Indian Ocean and Red Sea in shallow inter- and sub-tidal coastal waters; it has a wide Indo-Pacific distribution.