Plakobranchus ocellatus kind of mating

January 30, 2006
From: Rokus Groeneveld

Dear Bill,

This question is not about the species this time. I know it's Plakobranchus ocellatus. But I observed them for a while, hoping they would mate. One certainly tried to, but as you can probably see, he (she?) tried to connect to the rhinophores. Is that a mistake that happens more often? Anyway, that's as far as they got while I was watching.

Locality: Cabilao Island, Philippines, Visayan Sea. Depth: about 15 meters, Length: about 6 centimeters?. 23 December 2005. sandy slope. Photographer: Rokus Groeneveld

Thanks again in advance, best regards,

Rokus Groeneveld
Netherlands

rosa12@wxs.nl

Rokus G., 2006 (Jan 30) Plakobranchus ocellatus kind of mating. [Message in] Sea Slug Forum. Australian Museum, Sydney. Available from http://www.seaslugforum.net/find/15576

Dear Rokus,
I think mating with the rhinophore is an error. However sacoglossans have quite complex and strange mating behaviours which differ between species and families. Some have a spine at the end of the penis and can inject sperm through the skin and body wall into the body cavity. However I am pretty sure Plakobranchus has a female genital opening on the right side of the body just in front of the parapodia. It looks like the penis of the lower animal is pointed in the right direction.
Best wishes,
Bill Rudman

Rudman, W.B., 2006 (Jan 30). Comment on Plakobranchus ocellatus kind of mating by Rokus Groeneveld. [Message in] Sea Slug Forum. Australian Museum, Sydney. Available from http://www.seaslugforum.net/find/15576

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Plakobranchus ocellatus

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