Aplysia orientalis, G. B. SOWERBY II, 1869

APLYSIA ORIENTALIS G. B. SOWERBY II, 1869

( FIGS. 4N–O)

Aplysia orientalis G. B. Sowerby II, 1869 : (207), pl. 5, fig. 18. Type locality: Chinese Seas. Type: Two syntypes, dry shells, 17-mm long (one completely broken) (NHMUK 1958.1.9.270-1).

Remarks

Sowerby II (1869) described Aplysia orientalis based on a shell collected in the ‘Chinese Seas’. After the brief description, Sowerby II (1869) indicated: ‘This shell nearly resembles Aplysia punctata in form, although less triangular. It has a slight bluish tint in colouring.’ We have examined photographs of one of the syntypes (NHMUK 1958.1.9.270-1) ( Fig. 4N–O), which do not match the general characteristics of the shell of A. japonica , the only species studied here found in that region. However, the shell of A. orientalis is much broader and more triangular than those of the type material and other specimens of A. japonica . Eales (1960) considered A. orientalis a synonym of A. parvula . However, based on the observation of the type material we cannot confirm this synonymy and we here regard A. orientalis as a taxon inquirendum.