The food of Elysia viridis

August 15, 1999
From: Cynthia Trowbridge

Bill,

Hi! Just a small correction regarding the information you have posted about Elysia viridis with a source of Thompson (1976)...there have been no studies demonstrating that the species actually feeds on the brown alga Cystoseira or the green algae Ulva and Enteromorpha. Thompson literally said "E. viridis has been found on a variety of algae"..."other authors recorded this sacoglossan from" Chondrus, Cystoseira, Codium, Ulva, Enteromorpha, and Zostera (p. 181). Furthermore, Michael Miller (PhD thesis, 1958) -- which was the major source for Thompson -- states that Elysia was on the macrophytes.

With sacoglossans, we have to be very careful about inferring trophic associations from animals sitting on specific macrophytes. Jensen has made this point in many of her papers in the 1980s....actual observations of feeding and ingestion are needed to establish a trophic (feeding) association.

All the best,

Cordially,
Cynthia

trowbric@bcc.orst.edu

Dear Cynthia,
Sorry for the lapse - a case of late night editing, which I have immediately rewritten. - a bit ironic after my recent discussion with Clay Carlson about being unconvinced that gastropterids feed on sponges just because they are always found on them!
Best wishes & thanks,
Bill Rudman.

Factsheet

Elysia viridis

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