Tambja verconis from Port Stephens

December 12, 2003
From: Leanne & David Atkinson


Dear Bill,
We have found what we think is Tambja verconis. It is the first time we have seen it in the area over the last 20 years. Over the past month we have found three of them. One was at Fly Point and two were at Halifax Sponge Gardens. We have seen one at Halifax consistently in the same area over 4 dives spread over a month.

Upper Photo:
Halifax Sponge Gardens, Marine Reserve,
Port Stephens, NSW, Australia
Date: 9.11.03
Depth: 18m Tide: high 9.08am
Water Temperature: 17 deg C
Size: 30mm
Lower Photo:
Location: Fly Point, Marine Reserve, Port Stephens, NSW, Australia
Date: 22 November 2003
Depth: 14m Tide: High 7.30am
Water Temperature: 16 deg C.
Size: 33mm

There were Tambja sp.1 in the same area. They were all on the Bugula dentata.
Regards,
Leanne & David Atkinson

atk@hunterlink.net.au

Atkinson, L. & D., 2003 (Dec 12) Tambja verconis from Port Stephens. [Message in] Sea Slug Forum. Australian Museum, Sydney. Available from http://www.seaslugforum.net/find/11647

Dear Leanne & David,
This is Tambja verconis. It seems to be more regularly found further south, but at times it can be found as for north as Port Stephens. We have still a lot to learn about these animals. It would be interesting to know whether the bright blue pigment of this species is derived from their food. Your photos show how similar the colour of Bugula dentata can be to the blue of T. verconis.
Best wishes
Bill Rudman

Rudman, W.B., 2003 (Dec 12). Comment on Tambja verconis from Port Stephens by Leanne & David Atkinson. [Message in] Sea Slug Forum. Australian Museum, Sydney. Available from http://www.seaslugforum.net/find/11647

Factsheet

Tambja verconis

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