Juvenile Ceratosoma brevicaudatum from W. Australia

October 25, 2005
From: Chris Cunnold

Dear Bill,

Ceratosoma brevicaudatum is very common in waters around Perth, Western Australia, however I've only once seen one this small (I would estimate around 6-8mm).

Locality: Fremantle, Western Australia, Indian Ocean. Depth: 8 m. Length: 6-8 mm. 2 May 2004. Rubble / Sand. Photographer: Chris Cunnold

Chris Cunnold

cunnold@iinet.net.au

Cunnold, C., 2005 (Oct 25) Juvenile Ceratosoma brevicaudatum from W. Australia. [Message in] Sea Slug Forum. Australian Museum, Sydney. Available from http://www.seaslugforum.net/find/15096

Dear Chris,
You did well to find it!  The name brevicaudatum means 'short tail' which refers to the very stumpy dorsal horn at the posterior end of the mantle. If you compare it with animals such as C. trilobatum you can see how appropriate it is. As I discuss on the species' Fact Sheet the tip of the 'tail' is where much of the animal's defensive chemicals are stored in large mantle glands. This stumpy tail is often brightly coloured, particularly so in juveniles, and I have suggested that this brightly coloured patch acts as a lure, attracting fish to bite the most distasteful, and replaceable, bit of the body.
Best wishes,
Bill Rudman

Rudman, W.B., 2005 (Oct 25). Comment on Juvenile Ceratosoma brevicaudatum from W. Australia by Chris Cunnold. [Message in] Sea Slug Forum. Australian Museum, Sydney. Available from http://www.seaslugforum.net/find/15096

Factsheet

Ceratosoma brevicaudatum

Related messages

  1. Ceratosoma brevicaudatum from Melbourne, Australia
    From: James Bailey, April 6, 2010
  2. Ceratosoma brevicaudatum laying eggs
    From: Leanne & David Atkinson, April 10, 2007
  3. Ceratosoma brevicaudatum from Western Australia
    From: Bruce Potter, January 30, 2007
  4. Ceratosoma brevicaudatum from Port Philip Bay
    From: Bill van Eijk, March 25, 2006
  5. Ceratosoma brevicaudatum mating
    From: Leanne & David Atkinson, January 21, 2006
  6. Re: Ceratosoma brevicaudatum from Botany Bay
    From: Nicholas Missenden, May 31, 2005
  7. Ceratosoma brevicaudatum from Botany Bay
    From: Nicholas Missenden, May 27, 2005
  8. Ceratosoma brevicaudatum feeding
    From: John Chuk, March 8, 2004
  9. Ceratosoma brevicaudatum laying eggs
    From: Leanne & David Atkinson, February 17, 2004
  10. Ceratosoma brevicaudatum feeding
    From: Nerida Wilson, February 17, 2004
  11. Ceratosoma brevicaudatum feeding
    From: Leanne & David Atkinson, February 11, 2004
  12. Ceratosoma brevicaudatum feeding
    From: Leanne & David Atkinson, January 21, 2004
  13. Ceratosoma brevicaudatum feeding
    From: Sue Newson, November 18, 2003
  14. Ceratosoma brevicaudatum from eastern Australa
    From: Sue Newson, May 14, 2003
  15. Ceratosoma brevicaudatum from Port Stephens, NSW
    From: Ian Simpson, December 11, 2002
  16. Ceratosoma brevicaudatum from South Australia
    From: Stuart Hutchison, February 22, 2002
  17. Ceratosoma amoena and ? from Nelson Bay, NSW
    From: David Harasti, April 25, 2001
  18. Re: Feeding in Ceratosoma brevicaudatum
    From: Des Paroz, October 27, 2000
  19. Feeding in Ceratosoma brevicaudatum
    From: Des Paroz, October 20, 2000
  20. Colour variation in Ceratosoma brevicaudatum
    From: Stuart Hutchison, September 14, 2000
  21. Ceratosoma brevicaudatum from Sydney
    From: A. Lumnitzer & D. Piotrowska, June 9, 2000
  22. Ceratosoma brevicaudatum from Sydney
    From: Akos Lumnitzer, June 2, 2000

Show factsheet and all related messages