Re: Aplysia punctata mating, spawning and variations

October 3, 2007
From: Joao Pedro Tojal Loia Soares Silva

Concerning message #20473:

Dear Bill,

I'm pretty sure the animal with the pink border wasn't Aplysia fasciata. First of all, the parapodia of Aplysia fasciata do not join as "high" as these specimen. Second, they were a lot smaller (A. fasciata specimen observed only two weeks before were +20 cm, compared to less than 10 cm of these) and showing a lot more variation than Aplysia fasciata as I've ever seen.

The animal with the darker spots could be a single small Aplysia depilans but I doubt the others could be A. fasciata (which is a species I'm quite used to watch).

I'm sending a photo taken just a few days before not far away showing a similar congregation of Aplysia fasciata and you'll find they're quite different, even when they have the parapodia "closed" over the mantle one can see they stay separated quite far back. By the way, the A. fasciata were taken with 18 mm focal distance while the A. punctata were photographed with a 50 mm macro.

Locality: Berlengas island, 11 m, Portugal, North Atlantic, 29 July 2007, Rock. Length: Between 20 and 30 cm. Photographer: Joao Pedro Tojal Loia Soares Silva.

Cheers,
Joao Pedro

jpsilva@uwphotographer.net

Silva, J. P., 2007 (Oct 3) Re: Aplysia punctata mating, spawning and variations. [Message in] Sea Slug Forum. Australian Museum, Sydney. Available from http://www.seaslugforum.net/find/20526

Dear Joao Pedro,

Even thought these are photos of A. fasciata I am putting your message with A. punctata. I am sure you are correct with your identifications. The best way to identify species of Aplysia is to compare them with other species in their natural surroundings. The differences in shape are usually fairly obvious - its just difficult to put the differences into words. And when I have only photos I am usuallu quite hesitant in makling positives identifications - as I was in your earlier message.

Best wishes,
Bill Rudman

Rudman, W.B., 2007 (Oct 3). Comment on Re: Aplysia punctata mating, spawning and variations by Joao Pedro Tojal Loia Soares Silva. [Message in] Sea Slug Forum. Australian Museum, Sydney. Available from http://www.seaslugforum.net/find/20526

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