“Elysia cf. marginata sp.3", nick-named "dark pigment", is one of 4 cryptic species in the Elysia marginata complex recently documented from the Indo-Pacific using a combination of molecular, morphological, and developmental characters. Found on the green algal genus Bryopsis, the species in this complex are sometimes termed "E. ornata", which is a distinct Caribbean species, or "E. grandifolia", an Indo-Pacific taxon with no definitive characteristics.

“Elysia cf. marginata sp.3": Overall darker coloration than other members of the marginata-grandifolia complex. Parapodial edges ruffled, with three successive colored bands: (1) continuous, thick, black marginal band; (2) bright white submarginal band; (3) dull orange-red submarginal band, farthest from the edge. Sides of parapodia dotted by brown-black spots of uneven size, with white patches forming zig-zags along body. Squared-off tail with orange and black marginal bands running along edge. Rhinophores white-tipped with distal orange band and white streaks along distal half. Renopericardium longer and more elongate than in other marginata complex members; white with black spots.

“Elysia cf. marginata sp. 4", nick-named "white lines", is one of 4 cryptic species in the Elysia marginata complex recently documented from the Indo-Pacific using a combination of molecular, morphological, and developmental characters. Found on the green algal genus Bryopsis, species in this complex are sometimes termed "E. ornata", which is a distinct Caribbean species, or "E. grandifolia", an Indo-Pacific taxon with no definitive characteristics.

“Elysia cf. marginata sp. 4": Parapodial edges smooth, with three successive colored bands: (1) black marginal band; (2) orange submarginal band; (3) very thick, white submarginal band, farthest from the edge. Sides of parapodia dotted by large black spots and larger white patches. Tail tapering to end of body but not pointed or elongated. Proximal two-thirds of rhinophores red, distal third black; white spot on head extending up each rhinophore. Rounded pericardium tapers to a point; white with black spots.

“Elysia cf. marginata sp.2", nick-named "red tips", is one of 4 cryptic species in the Elysia marginata complex recently documented from the Indo-Pacific using a combination of molecular, morphological, and developmental characters. Found on the green algal genus Bryopsis, the species in this complex are sometimes termed "E. ornata", which is a distinct Caribbean species, or "E. grandifolia", an Indo-Pacific taxon with no definitive characteristics.

“Elysia cf. marginata sp.2”: Parapodia with black marginal band and red submarginal band; edges may form one siphonal opening. Body covered with tiny discrete black and white spots. Pointed, elongated tail with red submarginal band running to tip. Proximal half of rhinophores white, distal half red-orange, with white spot at tip. Rounded pericardium, solid white, no spots. Four pairs of branching vessels exit renopericardium, longest pair running posteriorly towards tail with anasthomosing side branches. Egg masses contain regularly spaced blobs of bright yellow extra-capsular yolk; planktotrophic development.

“Elysia cf. marginata sp.1", nick-named "3 siphons", is one of 4 cryptic species in the Elysia marginata complex recently documented from the Indo-Pacific using a combination of molecular, morphological, and developmental characters. Found on the green algal genus Bryopsis, the species in this complex are sometimes termed "E. ornata", which is a distinct Caribbean species, or "E. grandifolia", an Indo-Pacific taxon with no definitive characteristics.

"Elysia cf. marginata sp. 1": Parapodia may be high or low; undulating edges form 3 wide siphonal openings. Siphons lined with orange edges but otherwise there no continuous marginal or submarginal band of color. Body covered with regularly spaced white spots and scattered black spots, dense along parapodial margin. Rhinophores with black spots on green background, white tips. No extended tail; body squared off posteriorly. Oval pericardium, posterior half white with black spots; 3-4 pairs of wide, bifurcating and anasthomosing dorsal vessels. Egg masses contain a continuous string of black extra-capsular yolk fading into grey-white streaks; planktotrophic development.

.

.

Japan, Australia, Moorea, Palmyra Atoll

known only from Japan

known from Japan, Vanuatu, Guam, and Hawaii

known from Guam and Moorea, French Polynesia

Depth range based on 217 specimens in 33 taxa.
Water temperature and chemistry ranges based on 149 samples.

Environmental ranges
  Depth range (m): 0 - 17.8
  Temperature range (°C): 11.646 - 29.212
  Nitrate (umol/L): 0.033 - 6.151
  Salinity (PPS): 33.594 - 36.130
  Oxygen (ml/l): 4.346 - 6.213
  Phosphate (umol/l): 0.074 - 0.425
  Silicate (umol/l): 1.110 - 5.231

Graphical representation

Depth range (m): 0 - 17.8

Temperature range (°C): 11.646 - 29.212

Nitrate (umol/L): 0.033 - 6.151

Salinity (PPS): 33.594 - 36.130

Oxygen (ml/l): 4.346 - 6.213

Phosphate (umol/l): 0.074 - 0.425

Silicate (umol/l): 1.110 - 5.231
 
Note: this information has not been validated. Check this *note*. Your feedback is most welcome.

Depth range based on 3 specimens in 1 taxon.

Environmental ranges
  Depth range (m): 1 - 16

Graphical representation

Depth range (m): 1 - 16
 
Note: this information has not been validated. Check this *note*. Your feedback is most welcome.

green algae in the genus Bryopsis

One of 4 cryptic species in the Elysia marginata complex, all found on Bryopsis spp. Intra-specific mtDNA clades can be up to 6% divergent at the COI barcoding locus in this complex, whereas morphologically and developmentally distinct species are >8% divergent (Krug. et al., in press).

The following is a representative barcode sequence, the centroid of all available sequences for this species.


There is 1 barcode sequence available from BOLD and GenBank.   Below is the sequence of the barcode region Cytochrome oxidase subunit 1 (COI or COX1) from a member of the species.  See the BOLD taxonomy browser for more complete information about this specimen.  Other sequences that do not yet meet barcode criteria may also be available.


Download FASTA File

Barcode of Life Data Systems (BOLDS) Stats
Public Records: 1
Specimens with Barcodes: 1
Species With Barcodes: 1

The following is a representative barcode sequence, the centroid of all available sequences for this species.


There is 1 barcode sequence available from BOLD and GenBank.   Below is the sequence of the barcode region Cytochrome oxidase subunit 1 (COI or COX1) from a member of the species.  See the BOLD taxonomy browser for more complete information about this specimen.  Other sequences that do not yet meet barcode criteria may also be available.


Download FASTA File

Barcode of Life Data Systems (BOLDS) Stats
Public Records: 1
Specimens with Barcodes: 1
Species With Barcodes: 1

The following is a representative barcode sequence, the centroid of all available sequences for this species.


There are 10 barcode sequences available from BOLD and GenBank.  Below is a sequence of the barcode region Cytochrome oxidase subunit 1 (COI or COX1) from a member of the species.  See the BOLD taxonomy browser for more complete information about this specimen and other sequences.


Download FASTA File

Barcode of Life Data Systems (BOLDS) Stats
Public Records: 10
Specimens with Barcodes: 10
Species With Barcodes: 1

Barcode of Life Data Systems (BOLD) Stats
                                        

Specimen Records:	89	Public Records:	72
Specimens with Sequences:	77	Public Species:	22
Specimens with Barcodes:	73	Public BINs:	29
Species:	26
Species With Barcodes:	22

Access Published & Released Data: Download FASTA File

Collection Sites: world map showing specimen collection locations for Elysia

Genomic DNA is available from 1 specimen with morphological vouchers housed at Florida Museum of Natural History

Krug, P.J., Vendetti, J.E., Retana, J., Rodriguez, A., Hirano, Y., and Trowbridge, C.D. 2013. DNA barcoding of mitochondrial and nuclear loci reveals rampant cryptic speciation among sea slugs studied for drug discovery, plastid symbiosis and biological control. Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution, in press.

Members of the Elysia marginata complex and the related species E. rufescens are sources of anti-cancer compounds called kahalalides, depsipeptides derived from the algal diet of the slug; unrecognized cryptic species in this complex introduce confusion into drug discovery work by obscuring the source of new kahalalides. Clarifying taxonomic uncertainty is thus important for natural products chemistry and bioprospecting for novel chemotherapeutic agents.

Krug, P.J., Vendetti, J.E., Retana, J., Rodriguez, A., Hirano, Y., and Trowbridge, C.D. 2013. DNA barcoding of mitochondrial and nuclear loci reveals rampant cryptic speciation among sea slugs studied for drug discovery, plastid symbiosis and biological control. Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution, in press.

Members of the Elysia marginata complex and the related species E. rufescens are sources of anti-cancer compounds called kahalalides, depsipeptides derived from the algal diet of the slug; unrecognized cryptic species in this complex introduce confusion into drug discovery work by obscuring the source of new kahalalides. Clarifying taxonomic uncertainty is thus important for natural products chemistry and bioprospecting for novel chemotherapeutic agents.

Krug, P.J., Vendetti, J.E., Retana, J., Rodriguez, A., Hirano, Y., and Trowbridge, C.D. 2013. DNA barcoding of mitochondrial and nuclear loci reveals rampant cryptic speciation among sea slugs studied for drug discovery, plastid symbiosis and biological control. Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution, in press.

Members of the Elysia marginata complex and the related species E. rufescens are sources of anti-cancer compounds called kahalalides, depsipeptides derived from the algal diet of the slug; unrecognized cryptic species in this complex introduce confusion into drug discovery work by obscuring the source of new kahalalides. Clarifying taxonomic uncertainty is thus important for natural products chemistry and bioprospecting for novel chemotherapeutic agents.