Sagaminopteron psychedelicum from Malaysia

July 14, 2006
From: Asther M. Lau

Dear Bill,

I believe this is a Sagaminopteron psychedelicum. Just to share with the forum.

Locality: Tenggol Island, 10 meters, Terengganu, Malaysia, South China Sea, 23 July 2004, Coral reef with sponges & soft coral collection. Length: About 1 cm. Photographer: Asther M. Lau.

Regards,
Asther

asther@astherlau.com

Lau, A, 2006 (Jul 14) Sagaminopteron psychedelicum from Malaysia. [Message in] Sea Slug Forum. Australian Museum, Sydney. Available from http://www.seaslugforum.net/find/17122

Dear Asther,
Thanks for these photos of Sagaminopteron psychedelicum. The presence of this animal on an irciniid-like sponge reminds me of an earlier correspondence on the Forum [message #3767] which has led to pretty conclusive evidence that all species of Trapania, which are often found clustered on similar sponges, eat not the sponges but small entoprocts which themselves live in association with the sponges. Many gastropterids are also found on sponges but I am sure they do not feed on them. Gastropterids are related to  aglajids and philinids, so we would expect them to feed on small free-living invertebrates such as flat worms, polychaete worms or something similar. One day - hopefully not too far in the future - some keen-eyed observer will find one eating something.

Best wishes,
Bill Rudman

Rudman, W.B., 2006 (Jul 14). Comment on Sagaminopteron psychedelicum from Malaysia by Asther M. Lau. [Message in] Sea Slug Forum. Australian Museum, Sydney. Available from http://www.seaslugforum.net/find/17122

Factsheet

Sagaminopteron psychedelicum

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