Re: First record of Okenia zoobotryon from Australia

February 12, 2008
From: Leanne & David Atkinson

Concerning message #21336:

Dear Bill,
After reading on the Sea Slug Forum about Okenia zoobotryon feeding on Zoobotryon verticillatum with Okenia pellucida I looked hard for both nudibranchs on every Zoobotryon verticillatum that we found today. Each of the bryozoans that I looked in were hung with little white egg ribbons like Christmas decorations. On the last one we found both Okenias. Here are photos of Okenia zoobotryon. One photo [centre right: O. pellucida at top of photo] contains both spcies of Okenia. Can you confirm our identification?These photos show the animal much more clearly than the last ones we sent in.

Locality: Halifax Sponge Gardens, Port Stephens, Port Stephens-Great Lakes Marine Park, 12 metres, New South Wales, Australia, Pacific, 10 February 2008, Sandy bottom with scattered seagrasses, ascidians, bryozoans, gorgonians, soft corals and sponges. Length: 5 mm. Photographer: Leanne & David Atkinson.

Regards,
Leanne & David Atkinson

atk@hunterlink.net.au

Atkinson, L. & D., 2008 (Feb 12) Re: First record of Okenia zoobotryon from Australia. [Message in] Sea Slug Forum. Australian Museum, Sydney. Available from http://www.seaslugforum.net/find/21370

Dear Leanne & David,

Thanks for these nice photos. Yes I would say these are O. zoobotryon. The rhinophores do not have the perfect cup shape so typical of the species, but they seem to be easily damaged, as often one animal will have one good rhinophore and one damaged, or even without lamellae at all. The absence of dorsal papillae, except for two or three in the dorsal midline is one other way to separate it from O. mija which usually has quite a few extra papillae on either side of the midline.

Best wishes,
Bill Rudman

Rudman, W.B., 2008 (Feb 12). Comment on Re: First record of Okenia zoobotryon from Australia by Leanne & David Atkinson. [Message in] Sea Slug Forum. Australian Museum, Sydney. Available from http://www.seaslugforum.net/find/21370

Factsheet

Okenia zoobotryon

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