Emmas Hypselodoris

Reasoning recorded at review

• •The mantle is cream to pale yellow with a narrow purple edge
• •Three principal purple longitudinal lines are visible on the dorsum
• •Diffuse tan-brown longitudinal fields lie between the purple lines
• •The lateral purple lines curve around the rhinophores and converge behind the gill pocket
• •The rhinophores and gill plume are orange-red with purple pigment at their bases
• •The visible three-line pattern supports H. emma rather than the five-line whitei-maridadilus form

Alternatives considered

• Hypselodoris whitei

  Why plausible: This close relative shares a pale body, purple longitudinal lines and orange-red appendages.

  Comparison: H. whitei generally has five principal purple lines and white-tipped rhinophores and gills; neither combination is present clearly here.

• Hypselodoris maridadilus

  Why plausible: This close relative can have uniformly orange appendages and the same general line colour.

  Comparison: It normally has five principal purple lines and is primarily a western Indian Ocean lineage; anatomy or DNA would be required if external pattern conflicts arose.