Feeding in Chromodoris decora [3]

September 13, 2007
From: Scott Johnson

Hi Bill,

Here are some additional feeding records for one of the Chromodoris decora forms. These three photos show specimens from Enewetak Atoll feeding on three different sponges. The species also feeds on a jet black sponge in both Hawaii and the Marshalls. I will send a separate message of those [#20700 ].

Locality: Enewetak Atoll, 4-5 m, Marshall Islands , Pacific, 1983, Under rocks on lagoon reef. Length: 15-20mm. Photographer: Scott Johnson.

Scott Johnson

uwkwaj@yahoo.com

Johnson, S., 2007 (Sep 13) Feeding in Chromodoris decora [3]. [Message in] Sea Slug Forum. Australian Museum, Sydney. Available from http://www.seaslugforum.net/find/20701

Dear Scott,

As I mentioned in your earlier messages [#20700, #20695]  there is a remarkable similarity between the food eaten by this species and that reported by you earlier for Chromodoris fidelis from the same places.

In your upper photo I am pretty sure the animal is not eating the yellow sponge at the top of the photo, but is just finishing the last of a dark purplish colony which used to live where it is sitting. I obviously can't be sure and can't identify the space but I wouldn't be surprised if it is the remains of Chelonaplysilla violacea. By coincidence you have a photo of C. fidelis [#12220] with the same yellow sponge abutting a colony of C. violacea.

The lower photo is an unnamed species of Chelonaplysilla which Pat Bergquist also identified as a food of C. fidelis from another of your messages [#12229].

The middle photo shows an animal eating a sponge, very similar to that reported by Denis Riek [#20634] - the message which prompted your response. I'll have to get Pat Bergquist to check its identity.

Best wishes,
Bill Rudman

Rudman, W.B., 2007 (Sep 13). Comment on Feeding in Chromodoris decora [3] by Scott Johnson. [Message in] Sea Slug Forum. Australian Museum, Sydney. Available from http://www.seaslugforum.net/find/20701

Factsheet

Chromodoris decora

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