Elysia on Caulerpa taxifolia

July 25, 2003
From: Tim Glasby


Dear Bill,

Do you happen to recognise this sacoglossan (Elysia sp.?) which is very abundant (~10 per sq metre) on Caulerpa taxifolia in Port Hacking, Sydney. The animals are about 35 mm and the Caulerpa is covered in epiphytes (primarily diatoms I think) at a depth of about 2-5 metres.

Thanks very much,
Tim Glasby

tim.glasby@fisheries.nsw.gov.au

Dear Tim,
As I discuss in a separate message, your photos made me delve a bit deeper into the identity of this species, which I have found before in New Caledonia on Caulerpa taxifolia, or else a Caulerpa which looks very similar. I have also found this species, or something similar, in Queensland and northern New South Wales, so I'll try and see if the photos I have of it are useful. Unfortunately my records associate it with Caulerpa racemosa so it may not be exclusively dependent on Caulerpa taxifolia

My considered opinion is that the best name to give it is Elysia tomentosa. However this posting may lead to further discussion, so I suggest you keep an eye on this page to see if we end up with a better answer.

Concerning the potential of this species in controlling populations of Caulerpa taxifolia it would be interesting to know whether its feeding results in parts of the plant breaking off and regrowing as reported in Lobiger serradifalci [see my comment on Erwin Koehler's message]. It would be interesting to know whether the high abundance you report is common for the species. I certainly have only found it occasionally. If you get a chance of photographing its egg ribbon, that could be useful as it could give us an indication about its type of larval development.
Best wishes,
Bill Rudman

Rudman, W.B., 2003 (Jul 25). Comment on Elysia on Caulerpa taxifolia by Tim Glasby. [Message in] Sea Slug Forum. Australian Museum, Sydney. Available from http://www.seaslugforum.net/find/10482

Factsheet

Elysia tomentosa

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