NORWEGIAN NUDIBRANCHS

Since 1997 we have been running a project entitled "Nudibranchs on the coast of Central Norway". The aim of the project is to record the diversity of nudibranchs within the study area. Number of species, abundance and their distribution within the area will be considered. After several years successfull research the scope of the projects is widened to encompass the Norwegian fauna. The project is run by Jussi Evertsen and Torkild Bakken.

Our main study area covers Nord-Møre and Trøndelag (the coastline between 63°N and 65°10’N). Approximately 50 species are previously recorded in this area. Knowledge of species distribution is based upon literature published before 1940. We appreciate receiving all kinds of information regarding systematics, occurrence and distribution on nudibranchs from the North Atlantic and the Barents Sea.

Jussi and Torkild all geared up and ready for field work (photo: Petter Schmedling).

News & Progress

• During April we have had great success in collectiong nudibranchs. We now focus on collecting specimens for molecular study. The regular Easter trip to Mausund gave 23 species. Later in April a single dive at a locality in the Trondheimsfjord produced 16 species. We rarely find such a large number (3 May 2009).

• Jussi has defended his PhD. Last week Jussi defended his Phd thesis titled “Solar powered phycozoans - Herbivore sacoglossans with photosynthetic chloroplasts”. Congratulations! (15 July 2008).

• New record of Doridoxa ingolfiana from northern Norway. The MAREANO project has collected a nudibranch in one of their samles from northern Norway. They sent the specimen to us, which was identified by Jussi to be Doridoxa ingolfiana. This is rare occurence, and a great contribution. (16 May 2008).

• We have made slow progress during the last year. As we both have been busy with other projects we have not devoted much time to nudibranchs. This seems to change and during 2008 we will hopefully provide more results from our research. (11 March 2008).

• Our paper on diversity of nudibranchs along the Norwegian coast is published which summarize seven years of field work and where we have collected all available information about nudibranchs in Norway. Four species new to the Norwegian fauna are reported (26 April 2006).