Descriptions of the dorid nudibranchs Polycera hedgpethi Marcus, 1964 and P-fujitai Baba, 1937 in New Zealand (Gastropoda : Opisthobranchia)

New Zealand specimens of Polycera hedgpethi Marcus, 1964 and P. fujitai Bab a, 1937 are described formally and in detail for the first time. Both speci es are easily recognised from previous descriptions. Five polycerid species are known now from New Zealand waters. The largest New Zealand specimen of P. hedgpethi collected so far is only two-thirds of the size of the type. This size difference may account for some of the differences noted, e.g., n umber of rows of radular teeth. New Zealand specimens differ from the origi nal description in lacking yellow pigment on the notal ridge, tail crest an d upper border of the foot, and in possessing a wider foot, a subterminal b and of orange brown pigment on the extra-branchial processes, and opaque an d crystalline white scattered on the body and appendages. Subsequent descri ption shows close similarity except in two cases, in one the grey/black pig ment is flecked not spotted, the jaws are rounded not angular and allosperm and vaginal ducts join before reaching the spermatheca, in the other the p rimary colour is dark brown, there is no white pigmentation and the jaws ar e rounded. Polycera hedgpethi is compared with three very similar species, P. hummi Abbott, 1952, P. aurisula Marcus, 1956 and P. gnupa Marcus & Marcu s, 1967: it is distinguished from them by the dense grey/black spotting and lack of blue pigment on the notal appendages. Polycera gnupa is believed b y some to be synonymous with P. hedgpethi. Here P. gnupa is maintained as a distinct species in having brown as the basic colour, cylindrical extrabra nchial processes and unipinnate gills. The New Zealand specimens of Polycer a fujitai agree well in colour and form with the original description excep t that they differ in basic colour in being dull orange not brown or yellow ish brown. There are differences in colouring between the local and Hong Ko ng specimens, the former having grey and orange as the foundation of the pa ttern, a blue tinge to the rhinophores and the opaque yellow widespread.