Halgerda guahan & H. johnsonorum - mating pair
September 17, 2007
From: Harry Blalock
Hi Bill,
I came across something I have never seen before and wonder just how unique it is. I spotted a Halgerda guahan and a Halgerda johnsonorum mating in the Grotto. I sat and watched them for about 45 minutes, they were not just passing, they were clearly lined up properly and in the process of mating. And I guess the next question is, what do you get when a Halgerda guahan and a Halgerda johnsonorum mate?
Locality: Grotto - a cavern dive, 35', Saipan, Northern Mariana Islands, Pacific Ocean, 16 September 2007, Red algae covered rocks. Length: 2". Photographer: Harry Blalock.
Thanks as always for your time!
Sincerely,
Harry Blalock
harryblalock@gmail.com
Blalock, H., 2007 (Sep 17) Halgerda guahan & H. johnsonorum - mating pair. [Message in] Sea Slug Forum. Australian Museum, Sydney. Available from http://www.seaslugforum.net/find/20736Dear Harry,
'What do you get when a Halgerda guahan and a Halgerda johnsonorum mate?' - it sounds like a joke is on the way! By definition animals of different species are not supoosed to mate. I have had some doubts about some of the species of Halgerda described in recent years but these two species seemed quite distinct from one another with little evidence of intermediate colour forms.
All I can say is keep a look out for possible intermediates and for more matings across the apparent species barrier.
Best wishes,
Bill Rudman
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