Elysia clarki feeding references

January 29, 2007
From: Nicholas Curtis

Dear Dr. Rudman,

I would like to refer you to two new references on Elysia clarki.

We used a variety of techniques (Molecular, Microscopical, and feeding experiments) to determine the algal sources of the sequestered chloroplasts in this species, and we investigated the feeding capabilities of juveniles over a wide range of potential algal food sources. To summarize, we found that adults in the field sequester chloroplasts from two species of Penicillus, (P. lamourouxii,  P. capitatus), and two species of Halimeda, (H. incrassata, H. monile), however, juvenile slugs in the laboratory will only feed on fine, filamentous algae like Bryopsis or Derbesia. As the juveniles grow to adult size, they will switch food sources to Penicillus if presented with it.

I've also attached a photo, of juveniles (1 week post-metamorphosis) feeding on Bryopsis plumosa.

  • Curtis, N. E., S. E. Massey and S. K. Pierce. 2006. The symbiotic chloroplasts in the sacoglossan Elysia clarki are from several algal species. J. Invert. Biol., 125: 336-345.
  • Curtis, N. E., S. K. Pierce, S. E. Massey, J. A. Schwartz and T. K. Maugel. 2007. The intracellular, functional chloroplasts in adult sea slugs (Elysia clarki) come from several algal species, and are also different from those in juvenile slugs. Marine Biology, 150 (5): 797-806.

Thank you,
Nicholas Curtis

ncurtis2@mail.usf.edu

Curtis, N.C., 2007 (Jan 29) Elysia clarki feeding references. [Message in] Sea Slug Forum. Australian Museum, Sydney. Available from http://www.seaslugforum.net/find/19329

Dear Nick,
Thanks for keeping us up to date with your work on E. clarki. It is certainly developing into a fascinating story.
Best wishes,
Bill Rudman

Rudman, W.B., 2007 (Jan 29). Comment on Elysia clarki feeding references by Nicholas Curtis. [Message in] Sea Slug Forum. Australian Museum, Sydney. Available from http://www.seaslugforum.net/find/19329

Factsheet

Elysia clarki

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