Re: Mexichromis macropus found sthn Queensland

March 8, 2010
From: Leanne and David Atkinson

Concerning message #22143:

Dear Bill,
Re:Gary Cobb's message about Mexichromis macropus feeding. We found these Mexichromis macropus on a sponge on a leg of Rapid Bay Jetty. At the time we photographed them from different angles trying to see if they were feeding. When we looked at the photos after the dive we noticed some eggs beside one and wondered if it was laying eggs. We can't actually see the oviduct but thought they might be of interest anyway. You don't seem to have any photos of their eggs in the messages or fact sheet and we wondered if their egg colour etc had been recorded.

Locality: Rapid Bay Jetty, Fleurieu Peninsula, 8 metres, South Australia, Southern Ocean , 16 February 2010, Sandy bottomw with sponge, ascidian and seaweed growth extending up Jetty legs. Length: approximately 20 mm. Photographer: Leanne & David Atkinson.

Regards,
Leanne & David Atkinson


atk@hunterlink.net.au

Atkinson, L. & D., 2010 (Mar 8) Re: Mexichromis macropus found sthn Queensland. [Message in] Sea Slug Forum. Australian Museum, Sydney. Available from http://www.seaslugforum.net/find/23315

Dear Leanne and David,

Thanks for the record. These could well be the eggs of M. macropus. I am pretty sure we don't have a record of its egg ribbon, but the one in your photo does have similarities to those of M. festiva [see Fact Sheet] and M. multituberculata [ see messages #8655, #6273].

Its presence on this purple sponge is also valuable. It is a dysideid of the genus Euryspongia and appears to be the favourite food choice of M. macropus.

Best wishes,
Bill Rudman

Rudman, W.B., 2010 (Mar 8). Comment on Re: Mexichromis macropus found sthn Queensland by Leanne and David Atkinson. [Message in] Sea Slug Forum. Australian Museum, Sydney. Available from http://www.seaslugforum.net/find/23315

Factsheet

Mexichromis macropus

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