Elysia subornata from Southern Bahamas

February 23, 2004
From: Marina Poddubetskaia


Dear Bill,
When we snorkelled with Anne DuPont in Exuma, we've found many sacoglossan including this Elysia subornata. Please, could you confirm this ID ?

It's strange, but I found this guy on a 'brush alga' (sorry, I don't know its scientific name) which is the main food of Elysia papillosa in this area (if my ID is right). In fact, I took a look at many of this algae and most of the time I saw Elysia papillosa on it. So, it was a surprise to see this specimen here too. Maybe, it's just a coincidence ?

Date: February 05, 2004
Location: Great Exuma, Bahamas, Western Atlantic
Site: Stocking Island, Hole n°0
Depth: 1m
Size: 6-7mm
Photos: Marina Poddubetskaia - Nembro website

Cordially,
Marina.

nembro@nembro.info

Poddubetskaia, M. , 2004 (Feb 23) Elysia subornata from Southern Bahamas. [Message in] Sea Slug Forum. Australian Museum, Sydney. Available from http://www.seaslugforum.net/find/12267

Thanks Marina,
Your 'brush algae' is a species of Penicillus,most probably Penicillus dumetosus. Hopefully an expert on Caribbean algae can help with a species identification. I think I will build up a few pages on common sacoglossan food algae as a guide to those looking for these animals.

Checking the literature, Elysia papillosa is the only species considered to prefer Penicillus as food (Clark, 1987), while E. subornatus is reported to feed on a number of species of Caulerpa, [C. racemosa, C. verticillata, C. paspaloides] (Clark, 1987, Redfern, 2001). So it's possible your animal just took a wrong turn and ended on the Penicillus.

Concerning your identification of this animal. I am sure you are right, although we can wait for confirmation from those with local knowledge. This species is said to be quite variable in colour, the yellow form, which predoinates on the Forum at present, is considered a juvenile stage.

• Clark, K.B., DeFreese, D. (1987) Population ecology of Caribbean ascoglossa (Mollusca: Opisthobranchia): a study of specialized algal herbivores. American Malacological Bulletin, 5(2): 259-280.
• Redfern. C., 2001. Bahamian Seashells: a Thousand Species from Abaco, Bahamas.

Best wishes
Bill Rudman

Rudman, W.B., 2004 (Feb 23). Comment on Elysia subornata from Southern Bahamas by Marina Poddubetskaia. [Message in] Sea Slug Forum. Australian Museum, Sydney. Available from http://www.seaslugforum.net/find/12267

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Elysia subornata

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