Trapania reticulata from the Andaman Sea

November 23, 2009
From: Lawrence Neal


Concerning message #2396:

Dear Bill,

I think you may be interested to see these pictures of what I think is Trapania reticulata, from the Andaman Sea. This specimen was found crawling over algae- and sponge-covered rocks, just a few metres from the shore and in about 6 metres depth of water.

Locality: Tablamu, 6 metres, Phangnga, Thailand, Andaman Sea, east Indian Ocean, 14 November 2009, Rocky shoreline. Length: 23 mm. Photographer: Lawrence Neal.

It was crawling very quickly, similar to many types of Gymnodorid, and with its rather impressive sensory organs - large rhinophores and oral tentacles - I thought it might be a predator of sea slugs or other non-sessile organisms. I'm left wondering why this species needs to move so quickly and why so much sensory tackle?

This individual was also much bigger than any other specimen of Trapania I have ever seen (admittedly that's not many) at over 2 cm. It was actually fairly easy to see.

Thanks and all the best,

Lawrence

lorenzo_n@yahoo.com

Neal, L., 2009 (Nov 23) Trapania reticulata from the Andaman Sea. [Message in] Sea Slug Forum. Australian Museum, Sydney. Available from http://www.seaslugforum.net/find/22804

Dear Lawrence,

I am indeed interested in seeing another example of this rarely reported species. Your animal is remarkably big for a species of Trapania. Perhaps it's found something other than small kamptozoa to feed on?

Best wishes,
Bill Rudman

Rudman, W.B., 2009 (Nov 23). Comment on Trapania reticulata from the Andaman Sea by Lawrence Neal. [Message in] Sea Slug Forum. Australian Museum, Sydney. Available from http://www.seaslugforum.net/find/22804

Factsheet

Trapania reticulata

Related messages

  1. Radular morphology of Trapania reticulata
    From: Bill Rudman, March 12, 2008
  2. Trapania reticulata from Queensland
    From: Stuart Hutchison, May 22, 2000

Show factsheet and all related messages