Diaulula sandiegensis feeding?
August 5, 2006
From: Jim Lyle
Dr. Rudman,
It looks like these Diaulula sandiegensis are feeding on a sponge (Haliclona sp?).
Locality: Palos Verdes Peninsula, 25 metres, California, USA, Pacific Ocean, 04 July 2006, rocky bottom. Length: 20 mm. Photographer: Jim Lyle.
Best,
Jim Lyle
jlyle@adelphia.net
Lyle, J.L., 2006 (Aug 5) Diaulula sandiegensis feeding?. [Message in] Sea Slug Forum. Australian Museum, Sydney. Available from http://www.seaslugforum.net/find/17078
Hi Jim,
Absolutely right on. Haliclona permollis is one of several sponge species Diaulula feeds on. Others include - Halichrondria, Axinella, Mycale, Terpios and Toxadocia (according to McDonald & Nybacken's feeding monograph).
The close up of the brown ring, prepared by Bill, shows the texture of the mantle surface perfectly. Members of this genus have special tubercles called caryophyllidia, meaning the tubercles have microscopic glass spicules protruding from their tips.
As seen in your photo, color varies a lot between individuals, particularly in the number of spots and rings. Specimens at the north end of the range can have hundreds of spots.
Thanks,
Dave Behrens
Related messages
-
Variation on Diaulula sandiegensis or something else?
From: Nancy Barnett, August 4, 2008 -
Re: Diaulula sandiegensis from British Columbia
From: Jackie Hildering, August 14, 2007 -
Diaulula sandiegensis, Laguna Beach, California
From: Tiffany Oberg, June 12, 2007 -
Re: Diaulula sandiegensis from Vancouver Island
From: Brian Penney, March 2, 2007 -
Diaulula sandiegensis from Vancouver Island
From: Minette Layne, March 1, 2007 -
Diaulula sandiegensis from Puget Sound
From: Jan Kocian, April 21, 2006 -
Diaulula sandiegensis from British Columbia
From: Marli Wakeling, January 23, 2006 -
Diaulula sandiegensis crawling over brittle stars
From: Bruce Wight, February 9, 2005 -
Diaulula sandiegensis from Santa Barbara Island
From: Chris Grossman , July 1, 2003 -
Re: Diaulula sandiegensis from British Columbia
From: Brian Penney, April 7, 2003 -
Diaulula sandiegensis from British Columbia
From: J. Hildering & G. Miller, April 3, 2003 -
Diaulula sandiegensis from Shaw's Cove
From: Bruce Wight, January 30, 2002 -
Doris s.l. MacFarland, 1966
From: Dave Behrens, November 10, 2001 -
Sponge prey of Diaulula sandiegensis
From: Jeff Goddard, September 28, 2001 -
Diaulula sandiegensis food sponge
From: Marli Wakeling, September 28, 2001 -
Diaulula sandiegensis from British Columbia
From: Marli Wakeling, September 27, 2001 -
Colour forms of Diaulula sandiegensis
From: Bruce Wight, August 5, 2000 -
Diaulula sandiegensis from British Columbia
From: Marli Wakeling, June 12, 2000