Rostanga calumus from S.E. Australia

April 24, 2002
From: John Chuk


Dear Bill,
I read your message regarding Rostanga calumus and its egg-ribbon only hours after receiving slides of a specimen I photographed at Flinders Pier, Victoria, Australia, on April 9th, 2002.

I found several egg-ribbons on pylons and looked in vain for the nudibranch responsible. Then I found these egg-ribbons on a red sponge and close inspection revealed a well-disguised specimen of R. calumus. It measured 18mm in length and was found at a depth of 3m on a pier pylon.

The upper photo shows the two egg-ribbons on the sponge with the specimen of R. calumus between them. The second shot is a close up of the egg-ribbon on the right in the first shot.

I found six specimens of R. calumus at the site and many egg-ribbons but failed to observe the ribbon being laid. I did see a mating couple on a small red sponge and when I returned the next day the nudibranchs were not to be found but a half-spiral of a similar egg-ribbon had been laid on the sponge. No doubt circumstantial evidence but it does mount up.
Best wishes,
John.

jchuk@giant.net.au

Chuk, J., 2002 (Apr 24) Rostanga calumus from S.E. Australia. [Message in] Sea Slug Forum. Australian Museum, Sydney. Available from http://www.seaslugforum.net/find/6803

Thanks John,
I wish all scientific discovery was as quick as this! I agree that we can be pretty confident that the egg ribbons are those of . The mottled pattern of darker patches over the mantle certainly help to camouflage the animal.
Cheers,
Bill Rudman

Rudman, W.B., 2002 (Apr 24). Comment on Rostanga calumus from S.E. Australia by John Chuk. [Message in] Sea Slug Forum. Australian Museum, Sydney. Available from http://www.seaslugforum.net/find/6803

Factsheet

Rostanga calumus

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