Re: Phidiana hiltoni with 4 rhinophores

June 30, 2006
From: Blair Carmichael

Concerning message #16396:

Dr Bill,

I have now seen a few more of these guys with some strange things going on.
I'm not sure if it's getting more common, or I might be just a little more observant.

Locality: Santa Cruz Island, 40 Feet, California USA, Pacific, 6-24-2006. Length: 50+ mm. Photographer: Blair Carmichael

These are also larger slugs so any abnormalities are easier to see. Both of them are from Santa Cruz Island.

Thanks,
Blair

Blaircarmichael@yahoo.com

Carmichael, B., 2006 (Jun 30) Re: Phidiana hiltoni with 4 rhinophores. [Message in] Sea Slug Forum. Australian Museum, Sydney. Available from http://www.seaslugforum.net/find/17023

Dear Blair,
I can't really say if you are looking harder than everyone else, or if there are an abnormally large number of mishapen P. hiltoni in your area. I guess we would need to know how many 'normal' ones you see as well.

The rhinophore situation in the photo alongside is almost certainly the result of recent damage. This species is well known as a 'fighter' attacking and biting other nudibranchs and others of its own species as well. I suspect this is an aeolids equivalent of a boxer's mishapen nose, from one punch too many. However the bifid oral tenatcle in the upper photo seems to be developmental, as did the bifid rhinophores in your earlier message.

Best wishes,
Bill Rudman

Rudman, W.B., 2006 (Jun 30). Comment on Re: Phidiana hiltoni with 4 rhinophores by Blair Carmichael. [Message in] Sea Slug Forum. Australian Museum, Sydney. Available from http://www.seaslugforum.net/find/17023

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