Eubranchus misakiensis from Hong Kong

March 10, 2001
From: Bernard Picton


Dear Bill,
Here are photos of another species of Eubranchus species from Hong Kong. I identified them at the time as Eubranchus misakiensis Baba, 1960 They were found feeding on small hydroids on Sargassum in shallow water.

UPPER PHOTO: BEPHK138 - Wong Kok Chuk Tsui, Tolo Channel, 5m, 12 Apr 1983, 4mm long.
LOWER PHOTO: BEPHK193 - West Pak Sha Chau, Mirs Bay,14 Apr 1983, 5m, 4mm long.

Bernard

bernard.picton.um@nics.gov.uk

Picton, B., 2001 (Mar 10) Eubranchus misakiensis from Hong Kong. [Message in] Sea Slug Forum. Australian Museum, Sydney. Available from http://www.seaslugforum.net/find/3936

Thanks Bernard,
I agree with your identification, although Baba does not mention the reticulate white pattern on the cerata, so visible in your photos. Yoshi and Yayoi Hirano have published two interesting studies showing that this species feeds exclusively on hydroids of the genus Obelia, while another species, E. horii, which is often found abundantly with E. misakiensis, feeds only on Plumularia filicaulis.

Hopefully Yoshi will be able to confirm the identity of your species,
Best wishes,
Bill Rudman

Rudman, W.B., 2001 (Mar 10). Comment on Eubranchus misakiensis from Hong Kong by Bernard Picton . [Message in] Sea Slug Forum. Australian Museum, Sydney. Available from http://www.seaslugforum.net/find/3936