Re: Pleurobranchus membranaceus feeding

December 6, 2003
From: Jim Anderson

Dear Dr. Rudman,
The attached photo of Pleurobranchus membranaceus was taken with my film camera during my November dive that I previously sent you images frm the digital camera. This is one of the 50mm specimens detached from the ascidian and turned over - the feeding tube? can be seen as it withdrew into the body.
Jim Anderson

jander4454@blueyonder.co.uk

Anderson, J., 2003 (Dec 6) Re: Pleurobranchus membranaceus feeding. [Message in] Sea Slug Forum. Australian Museum, Sydney. Available from http://www.seaslugforum.net/find/11604

Thanks Jim,
Thompson (1976) notes that this species is a specialist feeder on simple and compound ascidians. They drill circular straight-sided holes through the test [body wall] of the prey, by the combined action of the jaws and the radula, which are carried on the tip of a long extensible proboscis which is clearly seen in your photo.

Thompson notes records of it feeding on Ascidia mentula Muller, Ascidiella aspersa Muller, and Botryllus schlosseri (Pallas) but he doesn't give any references for these observations.
Best wishes
Bill Rudman

Rudman, W.B., 2003 (Dec 6). Comment on Re: Pleurobranchus membranaceus feeding by Jim Anderson. [Message in] Sea Slug Forum. Australian Museum, Sydney. Available from http://www.seaslugforum.net/find/11604

Factsheet

Pleurobranchus membranaceus

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