Genetic evidence of phenotypic polymorphism in the aeolid nudibranch Flabellina verrucosa (M. Sars, 1829) (Opisthobranchia: Nudibranchia)

The conspecificity of two forms of Flabellina verrucosa (M. Sars, 1829), one form with short and one with long cerata, was tested by sequencing the mitochondrial COI and the nuclear 5.8S-ITS2 genes. We could not establish any genetic differences between the two forms and conclude that they belong to the same species. Thus, Flabellina verrucosa is polymorphic in ceratum length.See also Electronic Supplement at: http://www.senckenberg.de/odes/06-02.htm