Does the Melibe colemani have more close related species that have yet to be discovered and named?
For quite some time I have been pondering over these images and wondering what species they are. Having never officially studied these animals genetically I can’t say that I’m an expert so I am hoping that the real experts out there can help with this one. It looks to me like there is more one species in Melibe colemani family.
What do you think?
The image above is surely the classic Melibe colemani?
Now this image above could be Melibe colemani, though it looks a little different from the usual M. colemani. Now could be something in-between M. colemani and M. engeli? There are many pronounced white markings through the body of this individual and there are more fine lines running through it’s body than the usual Melibe colemani.
Here is another view specimen that looks fairly different again. No real pronounced white lines around the body and only finer lines in slightly different colours too.
If you have any input or ideas about these please don’t hesitate to let us know.
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