Description of a New Notaspidean Genus and Species (Opisthobranchia: Notaspidea) from the Antarctic Ocean

• Published in: Journal of Molluscan Studies
• Main Authors: Wägele, Heike, Hain, Stefan
• Format: Text
• Language: English
• Published: Oxford University Press 1991
• Subjects: Articles; Antarctic; The Antarctic; Weddell Sea; Weddell; Antarctic Ocean; Antarc*
• Online Access: http://mollus.oxfordjournals.org/cgi/content/short/57/Supplement_Part_4/229; https://doi.org/10.1093/mollus/57.Supplement_Part_4.229

A new genus and species of the suborder Pleurobranchoidea Férrussac, 1822 (order Notaspidea) is described from the Weddell Sea (Antarctic Ocean). It is the second species of side-gilled sea slug to be described from the southern polar seas. The monotypic genus Tomthompsonia new genus with the species T. spiroconchalis new species differs from all other known genera of the Pleurobranchoidea by its coiled, internal shell, and the absence of a median buccal gland and pedal gland. The phylogenetic affinities within the Pleurobranchoidea are discussed.