Gosliner's Trapania sp 2 from South Africa
September 6, 2006
From: Colin Ogden
Note added 12 March 2008: This species has been named Trapania melaina.
Hi Bill,
The other day walking on our Jesser point I found this creature which I think is the same as Gosliner's Trapania sp. 2 on page 94 of his Nudibranchs of Southern Africa. I see his photo was taken at the same place. I have never seen it on a dive, so could it be restricted to rock pools. It also seems quite common at the moment as a friend Jesse Veldmann also has photos of it. Could it be a seasonal find (winter months only), and also can some slugs be restricted to seasons as well.
Locality: Sodwana Bay, 0 metres, South Africa, Indian, Aug 2006, Rock Pools. Length: 12mm. Photographer: Colin Ogden.
Regards
Colin
scubaco@iafrica.com
Ogden C. M., 2006 (Sep 6) Gosliner's Trapania sp 2 from South Africa. [Message in] Sea Slug Forum. Australian Museum, Sydney. Available from http://www.seaslugforum.net/find/17671Dear Colin,
This certainly appears to be Gosliner's species. I note he had only a single specimen. From his photo the body is covered in fine white specks. I am pretty sure it is unnamed so I will add to the Forum list asTrapania sp. 10 .
Concerning your question about animals being seasonal. I would say there are very few opisthobranchs that do not follow some cyclic appearance. In most it would be seasonal, and influenced by water temperature, salinity, water currents and other physical parameters. All these species are very dependent on their food so cycles are also affected by the presence and absence of their food organisms. In tropical places where it seems warm all year, cycles are still very pronounced.
Best wishes,
Bill Rudman
Related messages
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Another photo of Trapania melaina
From: Colin Ogden, March 14, 2008
