Trapania reticulata from the Andaman Sea
November 23, 2009
From: Lawrence Neal
Concerning message #2396:
Dear Bill,
I think you may be interested to see these pictures of what I think is Trapania reticulata, from the Andaman Sea. This specimen was found crawling over algae- and sponge-covered rocks, just a few metres from the shore and in about 6 metres depth of water.
Locality: Tablamu, 6 metres, Phangnga, Thailand, Andaman Sea, east Indian Ocean, 14 November 2009, Rocky shoreline. Length: 23 mm. Photographer: Lawrence Neal.
It was crawling very quickly, similar to many types of Gymnodorid, and with its rather impressive sensory organs - large rhinophores and oral tentacles - I thought it might be a predator of sea slugs or other non-sessile organisms. I'm left wondering why this species needs to move so quickly and why so much sensory tackle?
This individual was also much bigger than any other specimen of Trapania I have ever seen (admittedly that's not many) at over 2 cm. It was actually fairly easy to see.
Thanks and all the best,
Lawrence
lorenzo_n@yahoo.com
Neal, L., 2009 (Nov 23) Trapania reticulata from the Andaman Sea. [Message in] Sea Slug Forum. Australian Museum, Sydney. Available from http://www.seaslugforum.net/find/22804Dear Lawrence,
I am indeed interested in seeing another example of this rarely reported species. Your animal is remarkably big for a species of Trapania. Perhaps it's found something other than small kamptozoa to feed on?
Best wishes,
Bill Rudman
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