Re: Phyllodesmium longicirrum feeding

December 6, 2006
From: Michael Henke

Concerning message #18808:

Dear Bill,
Thanks for your comments. What I especially wanted to know is what is the little round part of the Phyllodesmium longicirrum. It doesn't look like feeding. Maybe it's an egg?
Best wishes,
Michael

Henke@mededv.de

Henke, M., 2006 (Dec 6) Re: Phyllodesmium longicirrum feeding. [Message in] Sea Slug Forum. Australian Museum, Sydney. Available from http://www.seaslugforum.net/find/18948

Dear Michael,
As well as your close-up, I've added a couple of close-ups as well from your earlier photos. I ma pretty sure the round thing is attached to the white bit. I at first thought this was part of the reproductive system but it's in the wrong place. I am pretty sure its part of the same phenomenon that has caused the white cerata. It seems to be some aberrant regrowth after some injury. I'm sorry I can't be more specific but if I had the animal in front of me I could give it a gentle poke and prod just to get a better idea of what this structure is. All I can say is that it is abnormal and definitely isn't anything to do with feeding. You can see the head in the bottom right photo. I have ringed one of the oral tentacles. I am not quite sure why the oral tentacles are so contracted - perhaps they are sensitive to some defensive chemical the soft coral is exuding?

Best wishes,
Bill Rudman

Rudman, W.B., 2006 (Dec 6). Comment on Re: Phyllodesmium longicirrum feeding by Michael Henke. [Message in] Sea Slug Forum. Australian Museum, Sydney. Available from http://www.seaslugforum.net/find/18948

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