Ascobulla sp from Northern New South Wales

November 9, 2006
From: Denis Riek

Dear Bill,
This Ascobulla was found in Caulerpa peltata at Hastings Point at low tide level and at first I thought it was a Marginella. It released a white discharge when "disturbed". At only 4 mm these are the best shots I could get at the time, I have since found another but it was even smaller. It appears similar to Ascobulla japonica as shown on Bob Bolland's site.

Locality: Hastings Point, Dead low tide, Northern New South Wales, Australia, Pacific, 15 September 2005, In Caulerpa weed, rock reef , low tide. Length: 4 mm. Photographer: Denis Riek.

Regards
Denis

dwriek@optusnet.com

Riek, D.W., 2006 (Nov 9) Ascobulla sp from Northern New South Wales. [Message in] Sea Slug Forum. Australian Museum, Sydney. Available from http://www.seaslugforum.net/find/17552

Dear Denis,

Thanks for these photos. I have been meaning to post some photos of these interesting animals on the Forum but as with many things, it's not a question of just posting some photos with a name. In this case I have been puzzling over Cylindrobulla and Ascobulla for some years. Basically I thinnk the separation of the two groups is artificial and that the only difference, which is the shape of the radular tooth, is more sensibly considered an indication of an evolutionary change in food rather than an indication that the two genera are quite unrelated. Have a look at my separate message [#18254 ]

Best wishes,
Bill Rudman

Rudman, W.B., 2006 (Nov 9). Comment on Ascobulla sp from Northern New South Wales by Denis Riek. [Message in] Sea Slug Forum. Australian Museum, Sydney. Available from http://www.seaslugforum.net/find/17552

Factsheet

Ascobulla, Cylindrobulla spp.

Related messages

  1. Re: Ascobulla and Cylindrobulla - are the differences real?
    From: Kathe R. Jensen, November 10, 2006
  2. Ascobulla and Cylindrobulla - are the differences real?
    From: Bill Rudman, November 9, 2006

Show factsheet and all related messages