Systematic review of Anteaeolidiella (Mollusca, Nudibranchia, Aeolidiidae) based on morphological and molecular data, with a description of three new species

Abstract

Partial sequences of two mitochondrial genes and one nuclear gene from Anteaeolidiella specimens collected throughout temperate and tropical areas in the Atlantic, Mediterranean, eastern Pacific, and Indo-Pacific have revealed the existence of a species complex under the name of Anteaeolidiella indica (Bergh, 1888). Further examination showed consistent differences in colour pattern and the internal anatomy that became evident only once the molecular outcomes were analysed. Moreover, the original description of A. indica suggests that this species has a very particular colour pattern that is not present in any of our specimens. A review of the literature led us to resurrect the names of Anteaeolidiella cacaotica (Stimpson, 1855), Anteaeolidiella saldanhensis (Barnard, 1927), Anteaeolidiella takanosimensis (Baba, 1930), and Anteaeolidiella lurana (Ev. Marcus & Er. Marcus, 1967). Aeolidiella chromosoma (Cockerell & Eliot, 1905) and Aeolidiella oliviae (MacFarland, 1966) are transferred to Anteaeolidiella based on our morphological and molecular data. Finally, three new species from the Indo-Pacific are described herein.