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/21140

Hi 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

Behrens, D.W., 2008 (Mar 17). Comment on Question about feeding in Dirona pellucida by Jackie Hildering. [Message in] Sea Slug Forum. Australian Museum, Sydney. Available from http://www.seaslugforum.net/find/21140

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