probably aeolid nudibranch Notaeolidia schmekelae

Shown here against a diver's dry-gloved hand, a large specimen (about ten centimeters long) is probably Notaeolidia schmekelae but without a genital dissection, a big Notaeolidia gigas cannot be excluded [1]. Typical for N. schmekelae is large size with only few rather short cerata and compared to other Notaeolidia species the rather short oral tentacles.

Notaeolidia schmekelae has been recorded in the Weddell Sea at depths from 249 to 481 meters [2]. N. schmekelae ranges in length between 4 and 13.5 centimeters and its body, oral tentacles, and cerata are milky white [2]. N. schmekelae lacks a penis; the vas deferens runs into a flaplike structure on its right side, which seems to be part of the genital papilla [1].

Cerata are arranged in two to four longitudinal rows [2]. The rhinophores of N. schmekelae have a tint of yellow; the cerata tips and oral tentacles have white pigment [2]. A brown digestive gland shows through the skin of the cerata but is less visible in the body [2].

The genus Notaeolidia is known only from Antarctica [2].

1: H Waegele, personal communication, 1999, 2005; 2: Zoologica Scripta 19(3):309-330, 1990

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