Hoplodoris novaezelandiae, (BERGH, 1904)

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 : 592

HOPLODORIS NOVAEZELANDIAE ( BERGH, 1904)

( FIGS 32 , 33 )

Homoiodoris novaezelandiae Bergh, 1904: 35–37 , pl. 3, figs 3–7.

Type material

SYNTYPES: Port Chalmers , New Zealand, date unknown, four specimens, 10–12 mm preserved length, leg. H. Suter ( ZMUC GAS-2105 ) .

External morphology

The animals here examined were preserved, so no information on the external coloration was available. The external morphology of this species has been described and illustrated by Miller (1991). In the examined specimens the entire dorsum is covered with large, rounded tubercles ( Fig. 32F ). Some larger tubercles are randomly distributed among the others. The rhinophoral and branchial sheaths have papillae similar to those on the rest of the dorsum. There are 10 tripinnate branchial leaves. The anal papilla is situated in the centre of the branchial circle of leaves. The rhinophores are elongate, having 14 lamellae in a 12-mm preserved length specimen.

Ventrally the anterior border of the foot is grooved and notched ( Fig. 33F ). The oral tentacles are conical.

Anatomy

The posterior end of the glandular portion of the oral tube has six strong retractor muscles ( Fig. 33D ) 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 thin elements ( Fig. 32D ). The radular formula is 40 ¥ 25.0. 25 in a 12-mm preserved length specimen. Rachidian teeth are absent. The innermost lateral teeth are hamate and have up to seven irregular denticles on the inner side of the cups ( Fig. 32A ). The next lateral teeth are hamate and lack denticles ( Fig. 32B ). The teeth from the middle portion of the half-row are larger than those closer to the medial portion of the radula. The outermost teeth are smaller and have irregular denticles ( Fig. 32C ). The oesophagus is long and connects directly to the stomach.

The ampulla is short ( Fig. 33C ). It branches into a short oviduct and the prostate. The oviduct enters the female gland mass near to its centre. The prostate is short and flattened ( Fig. 33B ) and has two different portions that are clearly distinguishable in colour and texture. It connects with a long duct that expands into the large ejaculatory portion of the deferent duct. The penis is armed with a series of small hooks ( Fig. 32E ). The muscular deferent duct opens into a common atrium with the vagina. There are two large and pedunculated accessory glands connected to the atrium, each one bearing a copulatory spine. At its proximal end the vagina joins the bursa copulatrix. From the bursa copulatrix leads another duct connecting to the uterine duct and the seminal receptacle. The bursa copulatrix is oval in shape, about five times as large as the elongate seminal receptacle.

In the central nervous system ( Fig. 33E ) the cerebral and pleural ganglia are fused and distinct from the pedal ganglia. There are four cerebral nerves leading from each cerebral ganglion and two pleural nerves leading from each pleural ganglion. There is no 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 relatively long nerves. Rhinophoral and optical ganglia are present. The pedal ganglia are clearly separated, having two nerves leading from each one. The pedal and parapedal commissures are enveloped together with the visceral loop.

The circulatory system ( Fig. 33A ) consists of a large heart and two blood glands situated in front of and behind the central nervous system.

Remarks

Miller (1991) redescribed this species based on newly collected specimens from New Zealand. He examined all the New Zealand species of dorids known to exist and no other species come at all close to the specimens he re-described as Hoplodoris novaezelandiae . Even though he was sure that his specimens were correctly examined he found some differences with Bergh’s (1904) description. Re-examination of the type material of this species confirms that Miller (1991) identified his specimens correctly, and that the anatomy of the syntypes of Hoplodoris novaezelandiae examined here is identical to that of his specimens.

Figures

Figure 32. Hoplodoris novaezelandiae (ZMUC GAS-2105), SEM images of the radula, jaws, penial hooks and dorsal tubercles. A, inner lateral teeth; scale bar = 43 Mm. B, mid-lateral teeth; scale bar = 43 Mm. C, outer lateral teeth; scale bar = 43 Mm. D, jaw elements; scale bar = 20 Mm. E, Penial hooks; scale bar = 30 Mm. F, dorsal tubercles; scale bar = 350 Mm.

Figure 33. Hoplodoris novaezelandiae (ZMUC GAS-2105). A, general view of the anatomy; scale bar = 1 mm. B, reproductive system; scale bar = 1 mm. C, detail of several reproductive organs; scale bar = 1 mm. D, lateral view of the buccal bulb; scale bar = 1 mm. E, central nervous system; scale bar = 1 mm. F, ventral view of the mouth area; scale bar = 1 mm.