First record of the Aeolid Anteaeolidiella fijensis (Nudibranchia, Aeolidiidae) from India

Abstract

The aeolid Anteaeolidiella fijensis Carmona, Bhave, Salunkhe, Pola, Gosliner and Cervera, 2014 is report- ed for the first time from India. Differences in the external colouration compared with the original description hampered its identification, and therefore, a molecular approach was needed. Maximum-likelihood and Bayesian analyses of par- tial DNA sequences of the mitochondrial cytochrome c oxi- dase subunit I and 16S rRNA genes, and the nuclear gene histone-3 were used to infer phylogenetic trees. ABGD spe- cies delimitation analyses and morphological study complemented this contribution. This is the first record of Anteaeolidiella fijensis outside the type locality and extends its distribution range remarkably. Here, we also complete the original description with new data regarding the external colouration and internal anatomy. Finally, the instraspecific variation may be related with an ontogenetic process or be a populationally distinctive feature.