Habitat of Elysia obtusa

July 29, 2001
From: Nishina Masayoshi


Dear Dr.Rudman,
I don't know whether E. obtusa hides under dead coral slabs or rocks during the day, as reported by Scott Johnson and Julie Marshall, because this is the first time I have found it.

I have attached an image showing where I found it. It was in the middle of a rock, 8m high, which rose almost perpendicularly in the water. As far as I remember there are no species of Bryopsis in Echizen Beach where I found it.

Best wishes,
Nishina

nishina@hpe15.wips.co.jp

Nishina, M., 2001 (Jul 29) Habitat of Elysia obtusa. [Message in] Sea Slug Forum. Australian Museum, Sydney. Available from http://www.seaslugforum.net/find/4955

Dear Nishina,
Even if they do prefer being under coral slabs in some habitats, it does not necessarily mean they will always prefer such a place. It is certainly hard to be sure of an animal's requirements without a lot of investigation. That is why recording observations like yours, Scott's & Julie's are so valuable.

It is unlikely that your animal was feeding on the dictyotacean brown algae it is on. Perhaps there are small green algae growing on the larger brown alga, or perhaps Elysia was just crawling by.
Best wishes,
Bill Rudman

Rudman, W.B., 2001 (Jul 29). Comment on Habitat of Elysia obtusa by Nishina Masayoshi. [Message in] Sea Slug Forum. Australian Museum, Sydney. Available from http://www.seaslugforum.net/find/4955

Factsheet

Elysia obtusa

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