What are these? Nudi's Flatworm, shell?

[mreid 0]

I have no idea what these are? Maybe a live shell?

[acroporas 0]

Nope dont know. I would guess flatworm.

[nemertinator 0]

Benthic ctenophores, something like Coeloplana. Note the pair "chimneys" in each, from which the tentacles would protrude.

--Jon

[seagrant 4]

Hi mreid! Carol here from the same trip, awesome, huh??

 

I photographed the same creature several times and I guess I didn't show you but my A & A Ferrari, U/W Malayasian Macrolife book that I brought on the boat has that creature listed under Nudibranch, UnIDed (page 85 plate 132). Now that book has some discrepencies, but I'd go with a Nudi till Leslie or one of the slug forums comes up with something else. It seems Graham told me it was a Nudi also, but I could have brain-fade also...........

 

Take Care, C

[acroporas 0]

I trust Jon's ID as much as I would trust Leslie's. He seems to know his worms.

 

And Leslie is going to be gone for a few weeks so don't hold your breath waiting for a response from her.

[Alex_Mustard 0]

See this thread too:

 

http://wetpixel.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=10014

[Leslie 0]

Surprise, I have internet access! At least while I'm in San Jose; when I go off to the coasts I won't.

 

Jon's right. It is a benthic ctenophore, possibly Coeloplana meteoris or something like it. there are probably a lot of unidentified species hiding under that name. You can see more pictures of C. meteoris on the Segars' site www.reefimages.com

[seagrant 4]

Thanks all, I needed to know also.

 

No offense to Jon's ID,

 

I had just corresponded w/ Leslie before, I knew she would know.

 

It is interesting it is in such a recent book as the Ferrari's as "UnIDed", not even a family name, just lumped in w/Nudis. Now they will know.

 

Best, Carol

[Leslie 0]

I love the Ferrari book. There are several mis-identifications in it but that's par for the course. I can't think of a single guide book (as least those in English that I can read) that doesn't have mistakes. Taxonomy is tough!

 

Jon is the curator of Nemertea at the Smithsonian & quite a bit above me in the museum hierarchy. I'd say he's pretty trustworthy - at least about nemerteans!