Flabellina browni? from Scotland

November 20, 2003
From: Dan Edwards

Hi there
Just wondering if anyone could identify this nudibranch? I'm no expert but it appears to resemble Flabellina browni. The photo was taken last weekend (16 November 2003) at 9m on a muddy bottom in Loch Creran, West Scotland. The sea pen, Virgularia mirabilis, is also abundant at this site, perhaps a food source for the nudibranch?

The quality of the photo isn't great but any thoughts would be much appreciated.

Many thanks,
Dan

dcbe1@hw.ac.uk

Edwards, D., 2003 (Nov 20) Flabellina browni? from Scotland. [Message in] Sea Slug Forum. Australian Museum, Sydney. Available from http://www.seaslugforum.net/find/11460

Dear Dan,
Flabellina browni usually has shorter cerata and there are whitish patches on the oral tentacles. From the arrangement of the relatively long cerata I would suggest this is a species of Facelina, and although I can't see the rhinophores clearly, my first guess would be Facelina bostoniensis. However we would need to know if there are rings on the rhinophores to be sure. But I must say I am not an expert on Atlantic aeolids so let's see what the local experts have to say.

Concerning food, I don't know if any aeolids will eat sea pens such as Virgularia. As I guess you know Armina loveni supposedly eats Virgularia mirabilis but it would be great to know for certain. It's possible a species of tritoniid may also eat Virgularia so I will be intersted to hear of any observations you make. Feeding photos are always welcome.
Best wishes
Bill Rudman

Rudman, W.B., 2003 (Nov 20). Comment on Flabellina browni? from Scotland by Dan Edwards. [Message in] Sea Slug Forum. Australian Museum, Sydney. Available from http://www.seaslugforum.net/find/11460

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Facelina bostoniensis

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