Clarifying the ID confusion on New Zealand *Dendrodoris nigra* complex (Nudibranch-Phylum Mollusca)
Hi all,
Currently, on iNatNZ, two scientific names are used for the Black doris found in NZ.
Based on their colourations they appear to be D. arborescens at some point instead of D. nigra which is the name used more often. However, there has been no reliable genetical studies about them, and also their colourations are known to be extremely variable.
Therefore, on iNaturalist, we should leave all their IDs to the genus level (Dendrodoris sp.) or use the name popular in NZ, *D. nigra*, until a peer-reviewed article about them clarifies which one is the species in NZ , or if both species occur in NZ.
(Although previously D. nigra was registered as species complex on iNat, it is usually best not to use species complex and it is no longer listed)
If you agree with this, please help update IDs of D. arborescens from the Identify page. Since Zach and I have updated IDs to D. nigra or D. sp. , many of the observations are currently needing IDs at genus level. Thank you!
Note: iNaturalist is not a place to discuss taxonomy and iNat only aims to preserve good records of wild organisms, so it is usually best to stick with the most often used names, unless there is evidence which suggests that it is not accurate.
This has been discussed in @fiestykakapo 's journal(url) previously, however most people hasn't updated their IDs yet, which is why I am writing this again.
Please comment below if you have any questions about it or if disagree, and I am happy to discuss about it :-)
Mentioning main identifiers and observers of genus Dendrodoris observed in NZ (random order):
@predomalpha
@fiestykakapo
@clinton
@stephen_thorpe
@hsini_lin
@sam_15
@luca_dt
@simonnicholas
@sascha_schulz
@erwinkoehler
@tangatawhenua
@jpsilva
@shaun-lee
@lloyd_esler
@lisa_bennett
@drmattnimbs
@jordi_nz
@vie
@lcolmer
@emr_auckland
@shaun-lee
@jordi_nz
@mette10
@simonf7532
@chicky67
@jhanwell
@lawrencetroup
@titine
@daan_hoffmann
@jacqui-nz
@albeer23
@beaumasters
@emma_brockes
@indeynz
@oscar_dove
@sam_15
@shanmonkey31
Thanks,
Saryu Mae / Glycymeris