Tylodina corticalis - feeding juvenile

June 5, 2006
From: Bill Rudman


Here is a photo of a relatively small Tylodina corticalis, to accompany my other messages [#16800, #16801].

This animal also has a flattened shell and at least the outer third is uncalcified, suggesting a rapid growth rate. It is very well camouflaged on its food sponge, Pseudoceratina sp. (Order Verongida, Family Aplysinellidae) which is bright yellow inside but usually has a brown outer layer, oftem with dark blackish brown patches. In this photo you can see the bright yellow patch by the head, which is where the slug has been feeding. Often juveniles have dark brown patches on the shell, which I assume is a camouflage technique. As the animals grow the brown patches usually disappear or can become radiating lines flanking the ridges which some shells have. Like the similar Umbraculum, the shell often has algal growths on it. The pink growth on this animal's shell is some encrusting red algae.

Locality: South side of Split Solitary Iisland, Coffs Harbour, nthn New South Wales, Australia.. 3 March 1988, Shell length 15 mm. AM C155704. Photo: Bill Rudman.

Best wishes
Bill Rudman

Rudman, W.B., 2006 (Jun 5) Tylodina corticalis - feeding juvenile. [Message in] Sea Slug Forum. Australian Museum, Sydney. Available from http://www.seaslugforum.net/find/16799

Factsheet

Tylodina corticalis

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