Glossodoris vespa feeding

Dear Gary,

Thanks for this excellent find. With Dave Mullins' photos [message #22094] which I am also posting today, I should be able to get this sponge identified. Interestingly it looks very similar to the sponge in Dave's earlier message showing G. rubroannulata feeding [message #20602]. I have almost got enough new sponge records now to arrange a session with Prof Bergquist to check their identities. From the available information, species of Glossodoris feed exclusively on thorectid sponges, but as we all know, these slugs don't seem to keep up with the scientific literature. To my untutored eye these sponges look more like dysideids, but I need expert advice. Interestingly both G. rubroannulata and G. vespa belong to a group of species which don't fit well in the genus Glossodoris, having a Chromodoris-like wide radular ribbon and body shape. So if the food does turn out to be non-thorectid it may be more evidence to show that the genus Glossodoris needs splitting up.  With your earlier posts, you and Dave have given us much valuable information on the biology of this species.

Best wishes,
Bill Rudman