Question about feeding in Dirona pellucida
March 17, 2008
From: Jackie Hildering
Found about 15 Dirona pellucida on the pilings at this site. Having checked the species information, I learned that they eat the bryozoan Bugula pacifica. I believe they might be targeting another bryozoan species here? I am no bryozoan expert but hope that someone might be able to offer feedback. Otherwise, the images are just a contribution to add to the behaviour of this species.
Just making sure too, despite specimens being atop sponges, I expect it is very unlikely that they would be feeding on them but rather are just travelling across them on their hunt for the bryozoans?
Locality: Telegraph Cove, 15 feet , British Columbia, Canada, Pacific Ocean, 04 November 2007, Pilings. Length: 10 cm . Photographer: Jackie Hildering.
Jackie Hildering
earthlingenterprises@telus.net
Hildering, J., 2008 (Mar 17) Question about feeding in Dirona pellucida. [Message in] Sea Slug Forum. Australian Museum, Sydney. Available from http://www.seaslugforum.net/find/21140Hi Jackie,
Your observations are exactly correct. This species is a ectoproct feeder and is likely out foraging for fresh prey. I cannot tell from Bill's inset what species this might be, if it is in fact a bryozoan, and not a hydroid. In either event the tuft is pretty dead.
Comparing the radula of this species with that of a sponge eating dorid, the differences in morphology are significant. Additionally, it likely feeds on several species, but nothing has been published on this.
Thanks,
Dave Behrens
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