Mexichromis macropus found sthn Queensland
January 15, 2009
From: Gary Cobb
Hi Bill and Everyone!
Please find photos of the ever-so-beautiful Mexichromis macropus found here between Noosa and Moreton Island. This species has been found about 20 times in 6 years. The photos attached are from a double dive I did on the HMAS Brisbane wreck. 6 animals were found and one was quite large.
This is the first time I have seen this species on the wreck. I assume the right food source must be growing on the wreck now. On previous dives I have seen Hyselodoris jacksoni as quite common, but now there are none to be seen. Another species that was seen 4 times on the same dives was Tambja morosa.
Locality: Mooloolaba, Sunshine Coast, 18 m, Queensland, Australia, Pacific Ocean, 08 January 2009, Subtidal. Length: 15-30 mm. Photographer: Gary Cobb.
Cheers
Gary
gary@nudibranch.com.au
Cobb, G.C., 2009 (Jan 15) Mexichromis macropus found sthn Queensland. [Message in] Sea Slug Forum. Australian Museum, Sydney. Available from http://www.seaslugforum.net/find/22143Dear Gary,
The right food source you wonder about is indeed present. It is the bluish - purplish sponge the animals are sitting on. It is a species of Euryspongia which appears to be the main - perhaps only - food choice of Mexichromis macropus.
In the black background photo we can see the large white spherical glands embedded in the mantle skirt around the posterior end of the mantle, so typical of species of Mexichromis. These white sacs store distasteful molecules from its food sponge which it uses to deter potential predators. As different groups of sponges have different anti-feedant molecules, we can get clues to the likely food of sponge-feeding nudibranchs by investigating the molecules the nudibranchs have stored in their mantle.
Best wishes,
Bill Rudman
Related messages
-
Re: Mexichromis macropus found sthn Queensland
From: Leanne and David Atkinson, March 8, 2010 -
Orange-Barred Mexichromis - Fremantle, WA
From: Brent Murdoch, March 1, 2007 -
Mexichromis macropus from Port Phillip Bay, Australia
From: Perry Davis, August 26, 2006 -
Mexichromis macropus from Western Australia
From: Mick Tait, August 9, 2005 -
Mexichromis macropus from South Australia
From: Carl Mooney, January 26, 2005 -
Mexichromis macropus from Ningaloo Reef
From: Kristin Anderson, January 1, 2005 -
Mexichromis macropus from Rapid Bay Jetty
From: Dave Harasti, February 21, 2004 -
Mexichromis macropus from Sydney
From: Erik Schloegl, March 28, 2001