Bullock’s nudibranch (Hypselodoris bullockii) is a colorful and familiar sea slug from the Indo-Pacific region. They are benthic in nature and are often associated with coral reefs. It turns out, many historical records of H. bullockii are incorrect, due to morphologic confusion with other species in the bullockii-complex. Still, this species has a fairly wide distribution in the Indo-Pacific, from Japan to Taiwan, the Philippines, Malaysia, and eastern Australia. Bullock’s nudibranch is a simultaneous hermaphrodite, meaning two individuals will mate with, and cross-fertilize, each other. They are also specialized predators on sponges. In 2017, Safari Ltd. introduced us to this species in their Incredible Creatures line, the first figure of this species outside of Japan since the 1996 rendition by Play Visions. When I started the non-arthropod part of my collection, I went with a figure of this species by Ikimon, as I had assumed that being an Incredible Creatures model it would be too big for me. Turns out it’s not (more on size and scale below), and so now I have two representatives of this species. For a cool mollusk, I don’t mind going non-synoptic, plus I want to support Safari’s production of such interesting taxa.
The figure measures 6.5 cm, which puts in the 1:1 scale range of a large specimen. Safari even stamped it 1:1 on the underside.
The animal has a rather simple morphology, but all the key features are there: the foot, oral veil (over the mouth), a pair of oral tentacles, a pair of rhinophores, and the dorsal branched plume (gills). The body is overall smooth (but not glossy) and the rhinophores and gills are textured. In nature, H. bullockii can be anywhere from pale pinkish-white to bright purple; Safari went with the middle ground here in painting it a light pink, with a fade to paler pink on the margins. The rhinophores and gills are yellow, as they should be.
Overall, this is an exciting species to have been made outside of Japan. It is highly recommended for collectors of interesting taxa and collectors of 1:1 models. It’s small size means it takes up relatively little shelf space. I just checked Safari Ltd’s website, and they are currently selling it for $2.99. I believe it is now retired, so Safari must be trying to unload stock. Get it while you can at that amazing price!
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It’s a very cute and well-made figure, especially at its current going price. I’ve wondered for a while now why Safari didn’t bother distinguishing the the species, though; so thanks for the identification!