REVISION AND TAXONOMIC REASSESSMENT OF MAGELLANIC SPECIES ASSIGNED TO ANISODORIS BERGH, 1898 (NUDIBRANCHIA: DORIDOIDEA)

Recent investigations on phylogenetic systematics of cryptobranch dorid nudibranchs indicate that Magellanic species previously assigned to the genus Anisodoris must be transferred to several different genera. Anisodoris fontainei (d'Orbigny, 1837) is regarded as a member of the genus Doris on the basis of the absence of a notch on the anterior border of the foot and the presence of lateral prolongations in the mouth area, instead of oral tentacles, and a tubular prostate. Anisodoris punctuolata (d'Orbigny, 1837) is regarded as a member of the genus Diaulula because of the presence of caryophyllida, a prostate divided into two portions, and a notched and grooved anterior border of the foot. Anisodoris rudberghi Marcus and Marcus, 1967 and Anisodoris variolata (d'Orbigny, 1837) are transferred to the genus Peltodoris due to the presence of a smooth labial cuticle, a notched and grooved anterior border of the foot, oral tentacles and a prostate with two portions. Since Anisodoris rudberghi is no longer regarded as a member of Anisodoris it has to be replaced by its senior synonym Anisodoris marmorata Bergh, 1898 (in the binomen Peltodoris marmorata), which was previously replaced on grounds of secondary homonymy with Archidoris marmorata Bergh, 1881. The correct spelling Doris fontainei is discussed, versus the original spelling fontainii and the subsequent incorrect spelling fontaini.