Nudibranch Platydoris

Not yet identified. Rare.

Calvi, Corsica 1998.

I have been quite puzzled by this photo as well. Its size, colour and very raised gill and rhinophore pockets are just as in Platydoris argo. Unless I am very wrong this animal has had most of the mantle skirt removed. I don't know if this species is known to autotomise its mantle when alarmed, but that could be one means of mantle loss - another could have been the persistent nibbling of a crab or fish. Any other ideas would be welcome.

Bill Rudman
Australian Museum, Sydney