Trapania sp. 8 from Ningaloo Reef

February 6, 2008
From: Kristin J Anderson

Concerning message #21295:

This is the first time in several years that I have come across Trapania sp. 8. There were three individuals in this big barrel sponge. Two were on the inside and one adventurous soul was on the outer surface (he had been inside with the other two earlier in the day).

Locality: Exmouth Gulf, 6m, Western Australia, Exmouth Gulf, 03 February 2008, silty, tidal. Length: 1-1.5 cms. Photographer: Kristin Anderson.

Kristin Anderson

kristin@oceansbyanderson.com

Anderson, K.J., 2008 (Feb 6) Trapania sp. 8 from Ningaloo Reef. [Message in] Sea Slug Forum. Australian Museum, Sydney. Available from http://www.seaslugforum.net/find/21361

Dear Kristin,

Although I can't see any sign of them, I think we can be pretty sure that if these Trapania have clustered on this sponge, and have stayed there for some time, then their food is near by. I am not sure what this species of Trapania feeds on, but all others we have information on feed on small colonial animals called entoprocts or kamptozoa which are often found growing over sponge colonies.

Best wishes,
Bill Rudman

Rudman, W.B., 2008 (Feb 6). Comment on Trapania sp. 8 from Ningaloo Reef by Kristin J Anderson. [Message in] Sea Slug Forum. Australian Museum, Sydney. Available from http://www.seaslugforum.net/find/21361

Factsheet

Trapania sp. 8

Related messages

  1. Trapania aurata?? with eggs Ningaloo
    From: Kristin Anderson, February 28, 2006

Show factsheet and all related messages