Sea Lizard [Glaucus atlanticus] from New South Wales

March 2, 2007
From: Lynne T.

Just like to say what a great forum!!
I have been fascinated with "the blue tide" animals for many years. I recently held a few Glaucus atlanticus to take some photos. Could you tell me what the circle opening is on their left hand side and what body part comes out and goes back in? I have included a photo and the Glaucus at the top has the protruding part????

Locality: Coalcliff Beach, shore, New South Wales, Australia, Pacific Ocean, 27 Feburary 2007, washed up. Length: 30 mm. Photographer: Lynne the lifeguard!.

Lynne

ctuck@netspace.net.au

Lynne T, 2007 (Mar 2) Sea Lizard [Glaucus atlanticus] from New South Wales. [Message in] Sea Slug Forum. Australian Museum, Sydney. Available from http://www.seaslugforum.net/find/19561

Dear Lynne,

The dark blue circle which looks like it is on the left side of their bodies, is really on their right sides, because they spend their lives floating upside down. The dark bit down the middle of their bodies is their foot, not their back. The blue circle you are interested in is the opening of their reproductive organs. Because all sea slugs are hermaphrodites with fully functional male and female organs, this opening has three functions. It has an opening to receive a partner's sperm, an opening to release its fertilised eggs, and it has a sac which contains its penis, which can be everted during mating. It is the body part you are wondering about - and they sometimes evert it just when they are stressed.

Have a look at an earlier message [#8233] for a photo of the penis, and photos of its egg string [#867 ].

Best wishes,
Bill Rudman

Rudman, W.B., 2007 (Mar 2). Comment on Sea Lizard [Glaucus atlanticus] from New South Wales by Lynne T.. [Message in] Sea Slug Forum. Australian Museum, Sydney. Available from http://www.seaslugforum.net/find/19561

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Glaucus atlanticus

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