Nembrotha rutilans - feeding observations

February 15, 2006
From: L. & D. Atkinson


Note added 4 March 2008: Following Pola et al (2008) the name N. rutilans has been replaced by Nembrotha purpureolineata [see message #21419].

Dear Bill,
In your reply to Bruce Potter about Nembrotha rutilans [#15763], you asked whether it might have been feeding on the yellow-lined ascidian, Clavelina meridionalis. We regularly see them feeding on that ascidian, which is abundant in Port Stephens. The accompanying photos were taken in 2004 when we were regularly seeing Nembrotha rutilans at Fly Point. They are less commonly sighted there in late 2004 and are now quite abundant at The Pipeline which is the western end of Nelson Bay Beach. We have been regularly seeing 6 per dive. Clavelina meridionalis is still abundant in both places.

Locality: Fly Point, Marine Reserve, Port Stephens, 14 m, NSW Australia, Pacific, 11 January 2004, Sandy bottom with sponges, soft corals and ascidians. Length: 100 mm Photographer: Leanne & David Atkinson

Regards,
Leanne & David Atkinson

atk@hunterlink.net.au

Atkinson, L. & D., 2006 (Feb 15) Nembrotha rutilans - feeding observations. [Message in] Sea Slug Forum. Australian Museum, Sydney. Available from http://www.seaslugforum.net/find/15797

Dear Leanne & David,
Thanks for these great photos. They show very clearly how the white oral tube of the Nembrotha is everted out of the mouth, right into the 'bag-like' branchial cavity of the ascidian so it can feed on the fleshy part of that animal.
Best wishes,
Bill Rudman

Rudman, W.B., 2006 (Feb 15). Comment on Nembrotha rutilans - feeding observations by L. & D. Atkinson. [Message in] Sea Slug Forum. Australian Museum, Sydney. Available from http://www.seaslugforum.net/find/15797

Factsheet

Nembrotha purpureolineata

Related messages

  1. Nembrotha purpureolineata and caprellids
    From: Valda Fraser, February 17, 2009
  2. Abnormality in Nembrotha purpureolineata
    From: Leanne & David Atkinson, March 26, 2008
  3. Nembrotha purpureolineata laying eggs
    From: Leanne & David Atkinson, March 4, 2008
  4. Nembrotha rutilans mating in Raja Ampat
    From: Bob Whorton, June 5, 2007
  5. Nembrotha rutilans? from Indonesia
    From: Aaron Fink, March 5, 2007
  6. Nembrotha rutilans mating from Lembeh Strait
    From: Mike Krampf, December 5, 2006
  7. Nembrotha purpureolineata or purpureolineolata?
    From: Roberto Sozzani, February 10, 2006
  8. Nembrotha rutilans - colour variation
    From: Bruce Potter, February 8, 2006
  9. Nembrotha rutilans laying eggs
    From: Leanne & David Atkinson, February 6, 2006
  10. Nembrotha rutilans laying eggs - some more details
    From: Roberto Sozzani, June 24, 2005
  11. Nembrotha rutilans eating tunicate
    From: Bob Whorton, June 9, 2005
  12. Re: Nembrotha rutilans mating
    From: Roberto Sozzani, May 11, 2005
  13. Nembrotha rutilans mating
    From: Roberto Sozzani, May 5, 2005
  14. Nembrotha rutilans mating
    From: Dana Africa, January 30, 2004
  15. Nembrotha rutilans on the Great Barrier Reef
    From: Paul Osmond, January 8, 2004
  16. Nembrotha rutilans from Bali?
    From: Jukka-Pekka Salmenkaita, August 29, 2003
  17. re: Nembrotha rutilans at Fly Point
    From: Dave Harasti, April 25, 2003
  18. Nembrotha rutilans from Nelson Bay, Australia
    From: Dave Harasti, April 19, 2003
  19. Nembrotha rutilans from Sydney
    From: Paul Selwood, January 24, 2003
  20. Nembrotha rutilans juvenile feeding
    From: Danny Van Belle, January 17, 2003
  21. Nembrotha rutilans from Nelson Bay
    From: Allan Saben, January 15, 2003
  22. Nembrotha rutilans from Borneo
    From: Mark Burnett, December 31, 2002
  23. Nembrotha rutilans feeding
    From: Sabine Noack, November 1, 2002
  24. Juvenile? Nembrotha from North Sulawesi
    From: Marli Wakeling, October 6, 2002
  25. Nembrotha rutilans? from Malaysia
    From: Richard Houghton, September 16, 2002
  26. Nembrotha rutilans feeding
    From: Mary Jane Adams, May 11, 2002
  27. Nembrotha rutilans feeding
    From: Mary Jane Adams , September 20, 2001
  28. Nembrotha rutilans from Mozambique
    From: Valda Fraser, May 4, 2001
  29. Re: Nembrotha rutilans
    From: Jeremy Rose, September 23, 2000
  30. Nembrotha rutilans from Sydney
    From: A. Lumnitzer & D. Piotrowska, September 21, 2000
  31. Nembrotha rutilans in aquarium
    From: Jeremy Rose, September 19, 2000
  32. Nembrotha rutilans feeding
    From: David & Leanne Atkinson, January 22, 2000
  33. Nembrotha rutilans from Port Stephens
    From: Grey McNeil, July 14, 1999
  34. Nembrotha rutilans
    From: Bill Rudman, July 2, 1999
  35. Nembrotha rutilans mating
    From: David & Leanne Atkinson, April 15, 1999

Show factsheet and all related messages