Cerberilla asamusiensis from The Japan Sea

July 13, 2002
From: Shigeru Hayashi

Dear Dr. Rudman,
Cerberilla asamusiensis was collected on the sandy bottom of Toyama Bay. This species is recorded in the past in Sagami Bay and Kyusyu in Japan but this is the first time it has been recorded from the Japan Sea.

This animal has a wide foot for crawling on the sandy bottom. It seems to hide in the sand during the day, coming out only at night. I will send you more information on its ecology later.

Collection data: 3 July 2002. Toyama, Toyama Bay, Japan. 30-40mm length. The water temperature is 22deg C.

Photo courtesy of the Takaoka Biological Club, Japan.

Yours Sincerely
Shigeru Hayashi

jr9dsx@tko.fitweb.or.jp

Hayashi, S., 2002 (Jul 13) Cerberilla asamusiensis from The Japan Sea. [Message in] Sea Slug Forum. Australian Museum, Sydney. Available from http://www.seaslugforum.net/find/7457

Dear Shigeru,
Thanks for thse photos. Species of Cerberilla are fascinating animals. Although quite large they are seldom seen because, as you gave noted, they usually spend the daylight hours hidden in the sand. Because of this there is little information on their biology and natural history, although we assume they feed on sand-dwelling sa anemones.

Could you give me some information on the colour of the cerata. Are the orange and black colours on the digestive gland duct or are they colours on the skin of the cerata? The black in particular looks like it is a cap on the top of the digestive gland duct.
Best wishes,
Bill Rudman

Rudman, W.B., 2002 (Jul 13). Comment on Cerberilla asamusiensis from The Japan Sea by Shigeru Hayashi. [Message in] Sea Slug Forum. Australian Museum, Sydney. Available from http://www.seaslugforum.net/find/7457

Factsheet

Cerberilla asamusiensis

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