Discodoris boholiensis, Bergh, 1877

Valdés, Ángel, 2002, A phylogenetic analysis and systematic revision of the cryptobranch dorids (Mollusca, Nudibranchia, Anthobranchia), Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society 136 (4), pp. 535-636 : 565-566

publication ID	https://doi.org/ 10.1046/j.1096-3642.2002.00039.x
DOI	https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.5106559
persistent identifier	https://treatment.plazi.org/id/03927F0E-FFF1-6056-FCF2-F9CE6A28D585
treatment provided by	Carolina
scientific name	Discodoris boholiensis
status

Treatment

DISCODORIS BOHOLIENSIS BERGH, 1877 View in CoL View at ENA

( FIGS 4D View Figure 4 , 15 View Figure 15 , 16 View Figure 16 )

Discodoris boholiensis Bergh, 1877a: 519–522 View in CoL , pl. 60, fig. 23, pl. 61, figs 6–12.

Discodoris meta Bergh, 1877a: 522–526 View in CoL , pl. 60, figs 24, 25, pl. 61, figs 25–28.

Type material

SYNTYPES of Discodoris boholiensis : Bohol, Aibukit, Philippines, date unknown, three specimens, 45 mm (decapitated) 70 mm preserved length, leg. C. Semper ( ZMUC GAS-2122 ). HOLOTYPE (by monotypy) of Discodoris meta : Cebu, Ubay, Philippines, leg. C. Semper ( ZMUC).

Additional material

North side of Sombrero Island, Batangas, Luzon, Philippines, 19 February 1992, three specimens, 20– 49 mm preserved length, leg. T. M. Gosliner ( CASIZ 083654 ) .

External morphology

The background colour of the living animals varies from pale cream in the centre of the dorsum to pale ochre near to the mantle edge ( Fig. 4D View Figure 4 ). The dorsum is covered with a number of rounded white spots situated on each dorsal tubercle. These white spots are more densely concentrated on the mantle margin, forming several radial white lines. There is an irregular pattern of dark brown patches and lines on the centre of the dorsum, from behind the rhinophores to the gill. A similar pattern also occurs near to the mantle edge. Both areas are connected by irregular, faded pale brown lines forming a broken network. The rhinophoral and branchial sheaths are elevated and surrounded by a dark brown line, which in the case of the branchial sheath is interrupted by several white spots. The rhinophores are dark brown to black, with several irregular white lines. The branchial leaves are also dark brown, almost black, with dark grey rachises. The whole dorsum is covered with small, conical tubercles, which have spicules protruding on their dorsal surface ( Fig. 15E View Figure 15 ). The largest tubercles are situated in the central region of the body. The rhinophoral and branchial sheaths have tubercles similar to those on the rest of the dorsum. There are six tripinnate branchial leaves. The anal papilla is situated in the centre of the branchial circle of leaves. The rhinophores are elongate, having 26 lamellae in a 49-mm preserved length specimen.

Ventrally the anterior border of the foot is grooved and notched ( Fig. 16F View Figure 16 ). The oral tentacles are elongate, with a blunt apex.

Anatomy

The posterior end of the glandular portion of the oral tube has six strong retractor muscles ( Fig. 16E View Figure 16 ) which attach to the body wall. The oval, muscular buccal bulb has two large additional muscles attached; two long salivary glands connect with it at each side of the oesophageal junction. The buccal bulb is shorter than the glandular portion of the oral tube. The labial cuticle is armed with a number of small, simple rodlets ( Fig. 15D View Figure 15 ). The radular formula is 29 ¥ 35.0. 35 in a 49- mm long specimen. Rachidian teeth are absent. The lateral teeth are hamate and lack denticles ( Fig. 15A View Figure 15 ). The teeth from the middle portion of the half-row are larger than those closer to the medial portion of the radula ( Fig. 15B View Figure 15 ). The outermost teeth are smaller and also lack denticles ( Fig. 15C View Figure 15 ). The oesophagus is short and connects directly to the stomach ( Fig. 16A View Figure 16 ).

The ampulla is long and simple ( Fig. 16C View Figure 16 ). It branches into a short oviduct and the prostate. The oviduct enters the female gland mass near to its centre. The prostate is large and flattened. It has two different portions that are clearly distinguishable in colour and texture ( Fig. 16B View Figure 16 ). The prostate connects with a very long and convoluted duct that narrows and expands again into the large ejaculatory portion of the deferent duct. The penis is unarmed. The muscular deferent duct opens into a common atrium with the vagina. The vagina is long. At its proximal end it joins the bursa copulatrix. From the bursa copulatrix leads another duct connecting to the uterine duct and the seminal receptacle. The bursa copulatrix is rounded in shape, about three times as large as the seminal receptacle.

In the central nervous system ( Fig. 16D View Figure 16 ) the cerebral and pleural ganglia are fused and distinct from the pedal ganglia. There are three cerebral nerves leading from each cerebral ganglion and two pleural nerves leading from each pleural ganglion. There is a separate abdominal ganglion on the right side of the visceral loop. The buccal ganglia are near to the rest of the central nervous system, joined to the cerebral ganglia by two long nerves. Gastro-oesophageal, rhinophoral and optical ganglia are present. The pedal ganglia are clearly separated, having two nerves leading from the left ganglion and three from the right one. The pedal and parapedal commissures are enveloped together with the visceral loop.

The circulatory system ( Fig. 16A View Figure 16 ) consists of a large heart and two blood glands situated in front of and behind the central nervous system.

Remarks

Discodoris boholiensis is a well-known Indo-Pacific species characterized by having a background brown colour with black and white spots and lines on the body, and a relatively flat dorsum with undulating margins and a prominent central hump. Examination of the type material of Discodoris meta Bergh, 1877 confirmed that it is a synonym of D. boholiensis .