Okenia purpurata - new record
February 20, 2006
From: L. & D. Atkinson
Dear Bill,
After reading your comment on Paul Whitehead's message [#15855] about it being good to get messages on recently described species we thought we'd send these photos of Okenia purpurata. We've only seen them over one spring at Port Stephens. There didn't seem to be any messages attached to the fact sheet.
Locality: The wall, Halifax Sponge Gardens, Marine Reserve, Port Stephens, 10 metres, New South Wales, Australia, Pacific Ocean, 29th October 2000, sand and rock wall covered in sponges, ascidians, bryzoans and hydroids. Length: 3 mm. Photographer: Leanne & David Atkinson.
Regards,
Leanne & David Atkinson
atk@hunterlink.net.au
Atkinson, L. & D., 2006 (Feb 20) Okenia purpurata - new record. [Message in] Sea Slug Forum. Australian Museum, Sydney. Available from http://www.seaslugforum.net/find/15897
Dear Leanne & David,
Thanks very much. Not only is it nice to have new records of recently described species, but they often help to give us a little more information on their biology. Your message helps confirm my observations on the bryozoan Okenia purpurata feeds on. In both photos it is on the same bryozoan. If you look carefully at the magnified bit [inset] you will see the zooids on the stalk are arranged in spiral groups, which is why this ctenostome bryozoan was given the name Amathia tortuosa.
Best wishes,
Bill Rudman
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