Is this a new species of Trapania?

October 28, 2002
From: Takako Uno

Note added 12 March 2008: This species has been named Trapania scurra 

Dear Dr. Rudman,
I am attaching a few images of a Nudibranch (I believe it may be a Trapania) that I recently photographed in Bali, Indonesia. I cannot find this species in my library of books. I have contacted a Japanese specialist, Dr. Yoshi Hirano, and he has asked me to contact you, since he does not know this nudibranch. Please kindly identify for me, when you have the time. Much appreciated for your generous help.

Some more information:
The images were shot on August 28th 2002;
The depth of water was 10 meter;
Water temperature was 28 degrees Celsius;
Nudibranch size was 3-5mm (with the oral feelers extended);

The Nudibranch was walking on the white-colored tunicates, which have some kind of Bryozoans attached to them. It looked as though the nudibranch was feeding on the bryozoans. I only found a single specimens in the area.

Looking forward to your kind advice.
Warmest wishes,
Takako Uno

divetoto@hotmail.com

Uno, T., 2002 (Oct 28) Is this a new species of Trapania?. [Message in] Sea Slug Forum. Australian Museum, Sydney. Available from http://www.seaslugforum.net/find/8262

Dear Takako,
Thanks for the photo. This certainly looks like a species of Trapania but it is not a species I recognise so could well be an unnamed species. I am very interested in your observations of its possible food, and I have included a close-up view of the organisms. They are in fact not bryozoans but a distinct phylum of animals which are called Kamptozoa or Entoprocta. They are tint stalked animals with a ring of feeding tentacles around the top of the body, much like a cnidarian polyp. Many species occur in large populations attached to other invertebrates, often on sponges, or in this case on a large tunicate. If you look at the messages on other species of Trapania you will see that we are discovering that all species of Trapania appear to feed on entoprocts (kamptozoa).
Best wishes,
Bill Rudman

Rudman, W.B., 2002 (Oct 28). Comment on Is this a new species of Trapania? by Takako Uno. [Message in] Sea Slug Forum. Australian Museum, Sydney. Available from http://www.seaslugforum.net/find/8262

Factsheet

Trapania scurra

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