Micromelo undata found sthn Queensland

January 19, 2009
From: Gary Cobb


 

Hi Bill and Everyone!
For the Forum's record I present Micromelo undata from our backyard. This species has been found subtidally and intertidally.  The shell is very delicate and light in weight. I guess when the animal is frightened it uses some source of "origami" to draw itself into the shell!

Locality: Sunshine Coast, sthn Queensland, 20 m - intertidal, Queensland, Australia, Pacific Ocean, 10 June 2008, Subtidal and Intertidal. Length: max 25 mm. Photographer: Gary Cobb.

Cheers,
Gary

gary@nudibranch.com.au

Cobb, G.C., 2009 (Jan 19) Micromelo undata found sthn Queensland. [Message in] Sea Slug Forum. Australian Museum, Sydney. Available from http://www.seaslugforum.net/find/22144

Thanks Gary,

Were the two shells photographed together at the same magnification or is this a composite photo? Certainly the shape of the small ones appears more juvenile.

Your comment about needing some form of origami to fit into its shell raises some interesting points. Looking at my field notes I have seen small animals completely retracted into the shell but not adults. Have you seen big ones completely retracted?  If they do, it certainly raises the question of where does the animal volume go? Studies on some bivalves and marine snails suggest that they can enlarge their size by drawing seawater into sacs in their foot - presumably they can force this water out when they wish to make themelves smaller. Much of the volume of an opisthbranch consists of water, but I am not sure whether it can be released quickly if the animal wishes to retreat to he safety of its shell. Net folding - as in origami - is a nice idea but in a slug it would be more like folding a balloon than a piece of paper. Anyone with any thoughts - or information - on the topic?

Best wishes,
Bill Rudman

Rudman, W.B., 2009 (Jan 19). Comment on Micromelo undata found sthn Queensland by Gary Cobb. [Message in] Sea Slug Forum. Australian Museum, Sydney. Available from http://www.seaslugforum.net/find/22144

Factsheet

Micromelo undata

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