Cyerce sp. 3 from Hawaii

April 4, 2002
From: Cory Pittman

Dear Bill,
I thought you might like a photo to extend the range of Cyerce sp. 3 to Hawaii. However, Pauline Fiene-Severns found the first specimens during our current project and Scott Johnson found it several years before she did. So, I can't claim a new record. The animal in the photo was taken in an algae wash at Hekili Point, Maui on September 20, 1998. It was found in a semi-protected, back-reef habitat at a depth of less than 1 m (although most of our specimens are from somewhat more exposed sites and at depths of up to 9 m). It was 6mm in length.

Of interest, perhaps, is that it has a swimming escape behavior. When disturbed, it arches its body ventrally until the head and the tip of the foot nearly touch. In that posture, the cerata are "splayed out" into a circular position and partially contracted at their bases. Then, it swims up into the water column by rhythmically sweeping the cerata up and down creating a pulsing effect reminiscent of a medusa (without, otherwise, moving its body). If I recall correctly, I've observed them swimming continuously for up to 20 or 30 seconds in dishes. Unfortunately, I haven't managed to photograph one "in action".

Best wishes,
Cory

cory@cet.com

Pittman, C., 2002 (Apr 4) Cyerce sp. 3 from Hawaii. [Message in] Sea Slug Forum. Australian Museum, Sydney. Available from http://www.seaslugforum.net/find/6627

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