Glossodoris atromarginata - kidney opening on gray sponge

January 30, 2009
From: Marcel Tanke

Concerning message #21992:

Dear Bill,
In this picture the anal and kidney openings of Glossodoris atromarginata are clearly visible. At the lower part of the picture it looks like some of the gray sponge has been eaten away.

Locality: Philippines, Anilao, 27 December 2008. Length: 5 cm. Photographer: Marcel Tanke.

Best regards,
Marcel

marceltanke@cs.com

Tanke, M.A., 2009 (Jan 30) Glossodoris atromarginata - kidney opening on gray sponge. [Message in] Sea Slug Forum. Australian Museum, Sydney. Available from http://www.seaslugforum.net/find/22172

Thanks Marcel,

As I said in the earlier message, the close proximity of the anus and the kidney opening is a reminder of the origin of nudibranchs from shelled snails.  Concerning the possible sponge feeding. From your photo I am not sure if the grayish sponge is part of the same colony as the brownish upper sponge or not. The upper sponge could well be a thorectid, which is what G.  atromarginata feeds on, but I can't see enough detail in the lower one.

Best wishes,
Bill Rudman

Rudman, W.B., 2009 (Jan 30). Comment on Glossodoris atromarginata - kidney opening on gray sponge by Marcel Tanke. [Message in] Sea Slug Forum. Australian Museum, Sydney. Available from http://www.seaslugforum.net/find/22172

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