Author: Rudman, 1987

Order: Nudibranchia  Family: Goniodorididae

Maximum Size: 13 mm

Sightings: Bali, Indonesia

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Trapania darvelli Rudman, 1987

At up to 13 mm in length Trapania darvelli is a medium-sized Trapania nudibranch. The body is elongate, essentially tubular without a notal margin and having the posterior end formed into a long and tapering tail terminating bluntly. The anterior corners of the foot are formed into well-developed propodial tentacles and opaque white in colour. The body is opaque white with a smooth notum. The oral tentacles are cylindrical with blunt ends and dark brown in colour. The rhinophore stalks are translucent white and carry bulbous lamellate clubs that are edged in brown. The extrarhinophoral and extrabranchial processes are substantial, curved medially and coloured white basally and brown on the distal half. The gill branches are brown.

Feeds on entoprocts, also known as kamptozoans (Phylum Entoprocta), that live in association with certain sponges.

David A. Mullins – May 2025

References:
– Rudman, W. B. (1987) The genus Trapania (Nudibranchia: Goniodorididae) in the Indo-West Pacific. Journal of Molluscan Studies, 53: 189-212.

– Rudman, W. B., (2001 July 5) Trapania darvelli Rudman, 1987. [In] Sea Slug Forum. Australian Museum, Sydney. Available from http://www.seaslugforum.net/factsheet/trapdarv and associated messages.

– Gosliner, T. M. & Fahey, S. J. (2008). Systematics of Trapania (Mollusca: Nudibranchia: Goniodorididae) with descriptions of 16 new species. Systematics and Biodiversity 6 (1): 53–98.

– Behrens, D., image by de Guzman, J. (2009). Opisthobranch of the Week, Week: 631. Mike Miller’s Slug Site. Available at: http://slugsite.us/bow2007/nudwk631.htm

– Gosliner, T. M., Valde ́s, A ́. & Behrens, D. W. (2018). Nudibranch & Sea Slug Identification – Indo-Pacific, 2nd Edition. New World Publications, Jacksonville, Florida, USA.

– Smirnoff, D. S.; Donohoo, S. A.; Gosliner, T. M. (2022). Extra-branchial processes manifest extra diversity: systematics of the genus Trapania (Nudibranchia: Goniodorididae) and nine new species descriptions. Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society. 196(1): 270-313.