Re: Pleurobranchus weberi? from Western Australia
July 19, 2007
From: Erwin Koehler
Concerning message #20130:
Dear Bill,
here is a large shot from my earlier message [#9569] so you can take a more detailed look at the mantle.
Philippines, Malapascua Is., divesite "Japanese Cargo Wreck", near Tapilon Village. Depth: 25 m, 23 Feb. 2003. Size: 18-20 cm (!). Photo: Erwin Koehler
Erwin Koehler
Erwin@Philippine-Sea-Slugs.com
Koehler, E., 2007 (Jul 19) Re: Pleurobranchus weberi? from Western Australia. [Message in] Sea Slug Forum. Australian Museum, Sydney. Available from http://www.seaslugforum.net/find/20251
Dear Erwin,
Thanks very much for this. I have never seen this species alive so from all the previous photos the white rings appeared to be solid white pigment so I was a bit puzzled by Brad Cox's animal yesterday in which the rings seemed to be caused by small white sand grains stuck around the two rings of the large compound tubercles. From the two close-ups I have posted from your higher resolution photo, it seem the same situation exist with your 'typical' P. weberi from the Philippines. perhaps the tubercles secrete a sticky secretions which captures small white detritus. It is certainly a strange way to build a colour pattern but it seems to show that Brad's animal is indeed P. weberi, which greatly increases is geographic range.
Best wishes,
Bill Rudman
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Pleurobranchus weberi? from Western Australia
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Pleurobranchus weberi from the Philippines
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