Flabellina trophina - feeding on worms [1]

March 26, 2004
From: J. Hildering and G. Miller


Hello Dr. Rudman,

The continuing story of Flabellina trophina:

We had posted a message last February that generated some very interesting discussion and have attempted to get more photographic evidence of its feeding and breeding behaviour [message #9542]. I carefully propose that F. trophina is both feeding and laying eggs on the tube worm I believe to be Diopatra ornata. Further feedback would be very much valued.

It is amazing how there are tens of these animals wrapped completely around the tubeworm. It several images, they also appear to be extending their mouth-parts over the top of the tube. I am sending 6 images of what I think is feeding behaviour and will follow with 3 pictures relating to reproduction [#12536].

Dive: Bear Cove, Northern Vancouver Island, British Columbia, Canada
Depth: 40'
Photographer: Glen Miller
Date: March 21st, 2004

Many thanks,
Jackie Hildering & Glen Miller

earthent@telus.net

Hildering, J. & Miller, G., 2004 (Mar 26) Flabellina trophina - feeding on worms [1]. [Message in] Sea Slug Forum. Australian Museum, Sydney. Available from http://www.seaslugforum.net/find/12533

Dear Jackie & Glen,
These are wonderful photos. There seems little doubt that these animals are feeding on the tube worms - although a look for polychaete remains in the stomach would be the only way to remove any doubts. I don't quite understand the purpose of the tubular oral veil, which is unique to this species. From your photos the mouth seems to be at the level of the tip of the worm tube with the tubular oral veil projecting upwards. Perhaps, as suggested by Irina Roginskaya, [message #9702] this structure is used, not in situations where the aeolid can climb up the worm tube, but in cases where the aeolid is crawling on the sand and the oral veil can be used to pull the tip of a shorter worm tube down to the mouth.

Because these photos illustrate such a unique phenomenon I have included 3 more in a separate message [#12534].

Best wishes,
Bill Rudman

Rudman, W.B., 2004 (Mar 26). Comment on Flabellina trophina - feeding on worms [1] by J. Hildering and G. Miller. [Message in] Sea Slug Forum. Australian Museum, Sydney. Available from http://www.seaslugforum.net/find/12533

Factsheet

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