Re: Chromodoris daphne feeding observation [2]

January 19, 2009
From: Leanne & David Atkinson

Concerning message #18484:

Hi Bill,
We found these Chromodoris daphne feeding on a black sponge on two recent dives, one at Fly Point and the other at The Pipeline. These dive sites are at opposite ends of Nelson Bay Beach. There is some discussion on where to find these nudibranchs in an earlier message by Dez Paros. We usually find these nudibranchs in less than 12 metres in the zone where there is a mixture of seaweed and sponges.

Locality: The Pipeline, Nelson Bay, Port Stephens and Fly Point, Port Stephens-Great Lakes Marine Park, Port Stephens, 5 metres, New South Wales, Australia, Pacific Ocean, 09 January 2009 & 10 January 2009, Sandy bottom sponges, bryozoans, soft corals, hydroids and ascidians. Length: 30 mm. Photographer: Leanne and David Atkinson.

Regards,
Leanne & David Atkinson

atk@hunterlink.net.au

Atkinson, L. & D., 2009 (Jan 19) Re: Chromodoris daphne feeding observation [2]. [Message in] Sea Slug Forum. Australian Museum, Sydney. Available from http://www.seaslugforum.net/find/22154

Dear Leanne & David,

Thanks for these records. All things being equal, it is the animal's food which is the most important factor in determining whether a nudibranch will be present at a particular place. My earlier records of this species feeding have always been on the dark purplish darwinellid sponge Chelonaplysilla violacea. Your earlier find on a brownish sponge [message #18549] is interesting - but puzzling, because I haven't been able to identify the sponge past its membership of the Darwinellidae. The sponge in this message is almost certainly Chelonaplysilla violacea, but the bluish regions are puzzling. I wondered if two sponge species were interwoven, but I suspect the bluish regions are paler parts of the Chelonaplysilla - perhaps where the slug has been feeding. I would be interested in your comments. Do you perhaps have a photo showing the join between blue and darker regions more clearly?

Best wishes,
Bill Rudman

Rudman, W.B., 2009 (Jan 19). Comment on Re: Chromodoris daphne feeding observation [2] by Leanne & David Atkinson. [Message in] Sea Slug Forum. Australian Museum, Sydney. Available from http://www.seaslugforum.net/find/22154

Factsheet

Chromodoris daphne

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