First record of Spurilla neapolitana (Mollusca: Nudibranchia: Aeolidiidae) on the central coast of Peru (Humboldt Current Upwelling Ecosystem)

Abstract

Members of the genus Spurilla are nudibranchs with circumtropical distribution. Spurilla neapolitana is reported for the first time inhabiting subtidal soft-bottom habitats of the central coast of Peru. Adult specimens were found in BahÃ-a Ferrol (09°04â S 78°35â W) at 10 m depth in November of 2009. Spurilla neapolitana is characterized by the presence of a long body with numerous cerata along the dorsal side of the body and a distinctive orange colouring with white dots. This finding extends the geographical range of Spurilla spp. into the south-eastern Pacific and adds a new contribution to the macro-mollusc diversity thriving in the Humboldt Current Upwelling Ecosystem. © 2012 Marine Biological Association of the United Kingdom.