Polycera capensis feeding

January 26, 2006
From: Leanne & David Atkinson

Dear Bill,
There are lots of Polycera capensis around at Port Stephens at the moment but not much Bugula dentata which we thought it fed on. It seems to be turning up regularly on this orange / brown thing that looks quite fern like. Here are some photos of them on it, not sure if they are feeding.

Locality: Fly Point and The Pipeline, Port Stephens, NSW, Australia. Depth: 10 -15 metres. Length: 30 to 50 mm. 30 December 2005 & 08 January 2006. Sandy bottom with scattered sponges, ascidians and soft corals. Photographer: Leanne & David Atkinson

Regards,
Leanne & David Atkinson

atk@hunterlink.net.au

Atkinson, L. & D., 2006 (Jan 26) Polycera capensis feeding. [Message in] Sea Slug Forum. Australian Museum, Sydney. Available from http://www.seaslugforum.net/find/15611

Dear Leanne & David,
Yes this is a bryozoan, but as you say not Bugula dentata. In fact in the centre right photo there seem  to be three bryozoan colonies, the one Polycera seems to be feeding on, a finely branched one below, and a white skeleton of the third at the top of the picture. The white skeleton above, is the reason bryozoans are sometimes called 'Lace Corals'.
Best wishes,
Bill Rudman

Rudman, W.B., 2006 (Jan 26). Comment on Polycera capensis feeding by Leanne & David Atkinson. [Message in] Sea Slug Forum. Australian Museum, Sydney. Available from http://www.seaslugforum.net/find/15611

Factsheet

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