Abstract

A new, extremely cryptic dendronotoid nudibranch from southern Spain is described. Lomanotus barlettai sp.nov. is intertidal and has been found under stones together with the thecate hydroids Kirchenpaueria pinnata and Ventromma halecioides. The body is elongate with a maximum of 36 cerata on each side. These are located on three pairs of notal ridges. Each ceras shows one or two characteristic constrictions. The veil bears two pointed processes on either side and there is a cephalic ridge. The body is brown with dense gold–brown pigmented superficial dots. The radular formula is 23 × 17.0.17 (7.5-mm specimen) and the innermost tooth of each half-row is denticulate. The other teeth exhibit more marked denticulation. Extensions of the digestive gland penetrate the cerata. The ampulla is surrounded by the hermaphroditic gland and there is only a curved seminal receptacle and a well-separated prostate. A comparison between L. barlettai and the other known species of the genus is presented. The validity of these species is discussed, together with the suggestion that five valid species can be distinguished: L. genei, L. marmoratus, L. vermiformis, L. phiops, and L. barlettai. The characteristics of these species are tabulated.

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