Benthic ctenophores from Bali
October 27, 2008
From: Supapong Areeprasertkul
This is a stuff I have no clue what kind of animal it could be. Although it seems not to have organs like any nudibranch, I hope it would be a kind of sea slug so I sent this to you. Please let me know if you have any idea.
Locality: Beach, 10 metres, Puri Jati, Bali, Indonesia, Bali, 16 August 2007, Sandy bottom. Length: 2 - 3 cm. Photographer: Supapong Areeprasertkul.
Thanks,
Supapong Areeprasertkul
zybersup@gmail.com
Supapong, A., 2008 (Oct 27) Benthic ctenophores from Bali. [Message in] Sea Slug Forum. Australian Museum, Sydney. Available from http://www.seaslugforum.net/find/20530
Dear Art,
These are not slugs, but because they look like they could be, I have a page for them on the Forum. They are benthic Ctenophores. These animals, also called 'Comb Jellies' or 'Comb Jellyfish' are usually pelagic animals found swimming or drifting in the plankton. They have a pair of long branched tentacles for entangling their prey which can be retracted into sacs in their body. Your animal is one of a small group which live sedentary non-swimming lives attached to the sea floor or objects. The two 'ear-like' structures in your animal are the sacs into which the tentacles retract. Have a look at the Fact Sheet and the other messages attached, as until quite recently, this was the only site in the world with photos of the fascinating animals.
Best wishes,
Bill Rudman
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