Nudibranch Guide of New Caledonia

This book was born from the meeting of enthusiasts of Nudibranchs 6 years ago. It was then necessary to recover the maximum of current and old photos in order to obtain the maximum of species. We sent out a newsletter in the different diving clubs, but it is mainly thanks to word of mouth and to the website that we have formed a real team of “Nudibranchs”. The vagaries of life, the departures for the metropolis of some made that I then carried out the project alone.

This is true, or rather more scientifically for the opisthobranch mollusks, called for simplicity the nudibranchs. The first local study, by JC Crosse, dates back to the end of the nineteenth century. Then Jean Risbec, professor of Mathematics and Physical Sciences at the Collège Lapérouse in Nouméa, published 2 reference works: the first in 1928 which served as his thesis and the second in 1953. He had then described about 150 species. Other biologists then continued his work.

Chromodoris kuniei is dedicated to the inhabitants of the Isle of Pines called “Kuniés”, the genus Noumea (name of the capital of New Caledonia) of which Noumea laboutei is a tribute to Pierre Laboute, living underwater photographer in Noumea, Noumea catalai was named in reference to René Catala who founded the Nouméa aquarium, the genus Risbecia comes from the name of Jean Risbec… and these are just a few examples.

Indeed, if this book is the result of a meeting between enthusiasts, eminent specialists then brought us their help: like Dr Richard Willan, curator of Molluscs at the Darwin Museum and Art Gallery, or Dr Nathalie Yonow, Terry Gosliner and David Behrens.

Both to amateurs, thanks to simple texts supplemented by diving anecdotes, and to specialists. The first part gives many illustrated details about biology. In particular, we learn about the defense strategies developed by these “snails” which have lost their shell. Means that make them almost invulnerable to predators.

While preparing this guide, I counted 370 species. And the list continues to grow, with an additional species almost every month. Some are apparently endemic, around XNUMX in all that have not yet been observed elsewhere.

Like any diver, I would say that the most beautiful dive is the next one. We are fortunate to be able to dive on sites accessible from the beach which allow us to observe a large number of Opisthobranchs and to share real emotional moments. Each scene of laying, mating, predation or feeding allows, as a photographer, to take shots of rare intensity. These photos are also very often shared thanks to a forum reserved for Opisthobranchs from New Caledonia.

Jean François HERVE, ENT surgeon by training, based in Nouméa, is passionate about the extraordinary wealth of the great Caledonian lagoon. Released in November 2010, the year of biodiversity, the guide to nudibranchs in New Caledonia is a perfect illustration of this.

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