Conualevia, COLLIER & FARMER, 1964

Valdés, Ángel, 2002, A phylogenetic analysis and systematic revision of the cryptobranch dorids (Mollusca, Nudibranchia, Anthobranchia), Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society 136 (4), pp. 535-636 : 611

GENUS CONUALEVIA COLLIER & FARMER, 1964

Conualevia Collier & Farmer, 1964: 381 . Type species: Conualevia marcusi Collier & Farmer, 1964 , by original designation.

Diagnosis

Dorsum covered with simple tubercles, stiffened by integumentary spicules, which do not protrude from the dorsal surface. Mantle glands present. Head with two lateral prolongations. Rhinophores almost smooth, with several irregular and inconspicuous lamellae. Anterior border of the foot grooved but not notched. Radula composed of simple, hamate teeth. Reproductive system with a tubular, granular and simple prostate. Penis and vagina devoid of hooks. Vestibular or accessory glands absent.

Remarks

Collier & Farmer (1964) described the genus Conualevia as being different from other dorids due to the presence of smooth rhinophores. Other distinctive characteristics are the minutely papillose notum, the short oral tentacles (lateral prolongations), the radula without rachidian teeth, the absence of jaws and the penis unarmed. Internally, Conualevia is characterized by having a semiserial seminal receptacle, described by Collier & Farmer (1964) as an X pattern at the end of a long vaginal duct. Two species were originally introduced, Conualevia marcusi Collier & Farmer, 1964 , the type species by original designation, and C. alba Collier & Farmer, 1964 , both of them from the Pacific coast of North America.

Since then, no more species have been assigned to the genus Conualevia , which remained in use for these two species. The single synapomorphy of this genus is the presence of smooth rhinophores. According to the phylogenetic analysis carried out here, this appears to be a monophyletic group.