Dermatobranchus? on Sea Pens from Port Stephens, N.S.W [2].
March 17, 2010
From: Leanne and David Atkinson
Concerning message #23329:
Hi Bill,
We are sending photos of what we have been calling Dermatobranchus sp. feeding on a pink soft coral. It shows some of the polyps out and some closed. We also find it feeding on pink Sea Pens and White Sea Pens. It was early evening just after sunset.
Locality: Fly Point, Port Stephens-Great Lakes Marine Park, Port Stephens , 10 metres, New South Wales, Australia, Pacific Ocean, 22 September 2007, Sandy bottom sponges, bryozoans, soft corals, hydroids, ascidians and seaweed. Length: approximately 20 mm. Photographer: Leanne and David Atkinson.
Hope this is of interest.
Leanne & David Atkinson
atk@hunterlink.net.au
Dear Leanne and David,
This seems to be a retracted colony of Dendronephthya which I noted this species of Dermatobranchus feeds on [see feeding on Dendronephthya]. It is good to get further records of Dermatobranchus feeding on the soft coral as well as your messages showing it feeding on Sea Pens [#23351, #23353].
The very narrow mantle 'skirt' and lack of lateral ridges along the side of the body are a pretty good external indication that this is a species of Dermatobranchus rather than Armina.
Best wishes,
Bill Rudman
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Dermatobranchus? on Sea Pens from Port Stephens, N.S.W [3].
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