15. THREE NEW RECORDS OF OPISTHOBRANCHS (MOLLUSCA) FROM LAKSHADWEEP ISLANDS, INDIA

J. Bombay Nat. Hist. Soc., 112(3), Sept-Dec 2015 5. Moduza procris (Cramer): Mussaenda erythrophylla Schumach & Thonn., Rubiaceae. Large spreading ornamental shrub, often cultivated in gardens. Recorded from Puttur. October 2011. 6. Neptis jumbha (Moore): Bauhinia acuminata L., Fabaceae. Erect shrub, cultivated in gardens. Recorded from Puttur. March–May 2011–2013. 7. Junonia iphita (Cramer): Synedrella nodiflora Gaertn., Asteraceae. Annual erect herb, common weed on cultivated lands. Recorded from Puttur. May 2011. ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS


Introduction
The earliest work on the opisthobranch fauna of Lakshadweep Islands, India, was by Gardiner (1903), which was followed by a note by Rao et al. (1974), and Surya Rao and Rao (1991). Thereafter, there were no studies on opisthobranchs from these islands until recently.
The opisthobranch fauna of Lakshadweep Islands is being studied by the present authors since 2004 under the All India

Methodology
Surveys were conducted in the intertidal region of the eastern lagoon of Agatti Island, Lakshadweep. The specimens were collected, and after morphological study were preserved in 90% ethyl alcohol and deposited in the BNHS collections.
Many alternative classifications are currently being used on the basis of molecular studies. A modified version of the classification presented by Bouchet and Rocroi (2005) and used by World Register of Marine Species (WoRMS 2013) was followed. Unless specified, the worldwide distribution is reproduced from Gosliner et al. (2008). Size: 15 mm ( Fig. 1). Single specimen (BNHS-Opistho-639).
Body dorsoventrally flattened; rhinophore sheaths flattened; rhinophores small; two pairs of dorsolateral lobes diagnostic, mediodorsal crest present at the posterior end of body. Body yellowish with brown mottling and some white markings; single row of brilliant blue spots visible on dorsal surface. Blue spots also present on both sides of body.
Distribution: Caribbean Sea, Costa Rica, Cuba, Gulf of Mexico, Mediterranean Sea, North Atlantic, Spain, Japan, France, Turkey, USA, Bahamas. The species was previously reported from India along the coast of Andhra Pradesh as Scyllaea marmorata (Alder and Hancock 1864). It was also reported from Gulf of Mannar by Farran (1905). However, Farran's work is mostly on Ceylonese nudibranchs with some study areas that are currently in Indian territory, like Gulf of Mannar. Thus, veracity of its presence in the Indian part of Gulf of Mannar could not be ascertained. This is the first record of the species from Lakshadweep. Goniobranchus alius (Rudman, 1987) Synonym: Chromodoris alius Rudman, 1987. Size: 40 mm and 35 mm (Fig. 2). Two specimens (BNHS-Opistho-641 and BNHS-Opistho-701).
Description: The specimens match the description by Rudman (1987) which is reproduced herewith. Creamy-white mantle with six greyish patches and small translucent pits, each with a golden-yellow spot, giving a pitted appearance. Violet border to mantle broken into a series of spots, among which is a diffused submarginal band of milky yellow. Rhinophore stalks translucent white and clubs dark brown. Gills translucent with white edging.
Distribution: Endemic to the Indian Ocean along South Africa, Madagascar, Tanzania, Reunion Island, and Sri Lanka. This is the first record of the species from Lakshadweep. Size: 40 mm (Fig. 3). Single specimen (BNHS-Opistho-1234).
Description: Mantle pinkish orange. A broad creamy white band around mantle edge. On inside edge of this band are a series of reddish purple streaks or marks. Central part of mantle has a continuous white median band which always encircles gill pocket. Gills and rhinophores tinged orange-red. In similar looking Verconia purpurea (Baba 1949) (known previously as Noumea purpurea), white median band runs from behind rhinophores to front of gills, but never encircles gill pockets.
Distribution: Indonesia and Hawaii (Rudman 1999), South Africa, Madagascar, Reunion Island, Red Sea, Gulf of Oman, Australia, Solomon Islands, Philippines, Papua New Guinea, Japan. This is the first record of the species from Lakshadweep and from India.

Conclusion
Despite being one of the finest coral reef ecosystems in India, faunal studies in Lakshadweep Islands are limited. Among Mollusca, opisthobranchs are least studied on these islands. The present records thus assume great significance.
Two specimens (Fig. 2a) were found crawling on coral rubble, c. 20 m away from freshwater runoff meeting the sea. The specimens were deposited in the collections of the Bombay Natural History Society (voucher nos BNHS Gastro