Title: A NEW SPECIES OF THE DORID NUDIBRANCH GENUS <i>POLYCERA CUVIER</i>, 1816 (GASTROPODA: OPISTHOBRANCHIA) FROM NEW ZEALAND
Abstract:Polycera melanosticta n.sp. is described and illustrated, the first species of the genus Polycera Cuvier, 1817 to be recorded for New Zealand. A detailed diagnosis of the genus is provided. The histor...Polycera melanosticta n.sp. is described and illustrated, the first species of the genus Polycera Cuvier, 1817 to be recorded for New Zealand. A detailed diagnosis of the genus is provided. The history of the use and classification of the genus Polycera is reviewed, and Odhner's 1941 amalgamation of the closely related genera Palio Gray, 1857 and Credada Bergh, 1894 with Polycera is upheld and reinforced by the mixture of various generic diagnostic characters in some species re- or newly described since then. Polycera is compared with the closely related Polycerea Verrill, 1881 and the latter genus is confirmed as being distinct The family Polycendae is also reviewed, and the characterisation adopted is that of Odhner (in Franc, 1968) in which the extent is reduced by the separation of the tnophids and gymnodorids as family groups. The new species is compared in detail with the eight most similar species (out of more than 50). Of these it is closest to the Caribbean P. herthae Marcus & Marcus, 1963, differing in possessing orange markings, uneven-sized velar processes, a larger number of gills which are simple pinnate, long foot angles, and lacking knobs on the back.Read More