Archidoris wellingtonensis from Tauranga, N.Z.

June 4, 2003
From: Paul Furneaux


Dear Bill,
Here are some photos of what I think is Archidoris wellingtonensis. It was in the same general area of mudflats that I had found Haminoea and Philinopsis taronga, but much closer to shore - about 50m from high tide mark- the area would be covered by less than a metre of water at high tide, there are significant areas of Zostera and Ulva round about.The animal was about 7 to 8 cm long, quietly going about its business and it is the only example of this species that I have come across. [Tauranga - East Coast, New Zealand]
Thanks for your help,
Regards
Paul Furneaux.

P.Furneaux@xtra.co.nz

Furneaux, P., 2003 (Jun 4) Archidoris wellingtonensis from Tauranga, N.Z.. [Message in] Sea Slug Forum. Australian Museum, Sydney. Available from http://www.seaslugforum.net/find/10132

Thanks Paul,
Archidoris wellingtonensis is usually found on a wide rang of habitats from sheltered to exposed shores, from the intertidal to about 20m. It is often found at low tide under rocks and rock ledges, but as you have discovered it is not averse to sandy mud. It feeds on encrusting yellow and orange sponges [Halichondria sp., Hymeniacidon sp. so I guess the main limiting factor is the need for surfaces on which its sponge food can grow.
Best wishes,
Bill Rudman

Rudman, W.B., 2003 (Jun 4). Comment on Archidoris wellingtonensis from Tauranga, N.Z. by Paul Furneaux. [Message in] Sea Slug Forum. Australian Museum, Sydney. Available from http://www.seaslugforum.net/find/10132

Factsheet

Archidoris wellingtonensis

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