Ercolania coerulea from the Bahamas

March 18, 2002
From: Colin Redfern


Note added 26 March 2002: See Kathe Jensen's message suggesting there are probably two species in this message.

Dear Bill,
Ercolania coerulea was mentioned recently in a message from Kathe Jensen, and I am attaching some photos of this species from Abaco, Bahamas. Small examples of this species - (from 2 to 5 mm) - occur in Abaco on a variety of algae, including Caulerpa racemosa, C. verticillata, Cladosiphon occidentalis, Cladophora and Dictyosphaeria cavernosa. The only large specimens that I've found have been on Dictyosphaeria.

UPPER PHOTO: (left to right):
• 3 mm. On Cladosiphon occidentalis in 1 m. Fish Cays, Abaco, Bahamas. July 7, 1992.
• 3 mm. On Caulerpa verticillata, just below the water line on a seawall. Treasure Cay, Abaco, Bahamas. June 30, 1991.
• 4 mm. On Dictyosphaeria cavernosa attached to a sponge in 1 m. Treasure Cay, Abaco, Bahamas. July 22, 1998. Has damaged rhinophore.

LOWER PHOTO:
• 12 mm. On Dictyosphaeria cavernosa in 0.5 m. Treasure Cay, Abaco, Bahamas. June 27, 1999. Has damaged rhinophore.

Best wishes,
Colin

bahamianseashells@att.net

Redfern, C., 2002 (Mar 18) Ercolania coerulea from the Bahamas. [Message in] Sea Slug Forum. Australian Museum, Sydney. Available from http://www.seaslugforum.net/find/6310

Thanks Colin,
Bill Rudman

Related messages

  1. Re: Ercolania coerulea from the Bahamas
    From: Kathe R. Jensen, March 27, 2002
  2. Re: Ercolania coerulea from the Bahamas
    From: Juan Lucas Cervera, March 20, 2002

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