A case of Caphira yoodokai eating Tritoniopsis elegans

July 7, 2007
From: Seiko Kuroe & Akira Mada

Dear Bill,
We observed an interesting case of the crab Caphra yookadai eating Tritoniopsis elegans. While watching  Tritoniopsis elegans eating the soft-coral Lobophyton, a Caphra yookadai which lives in the soft-coral, came completely out of the Lobophyton (which is quite rare), and started to pinch off parts of the Tritoniopsis elegans, and to eat them. The Tritoniopsis elegans started to move away from the Lobophyton at a quite a fast pace.

Locality: Futoh beach, west Izu Peninsula, 4 metres, Shizuoka, Japan, Pacific ocean, 30 May 2007, A lone rock (in a sandy area. Length: 3 cm. Photographer: Akira Mada.

We do not know whether the crab attacked the Tritoniopsis elegans in an attempt to protect the Lobophyton, which is its habitat, or just as food. But it was an interesting event and we wish to continue the observation.
Yours sincerely,
Seiko Kuroe & Akira Mada

umi110kuroe@docomo.ne.jp

Seiko Kuroe & Akira Mada, 2007 (Jul 7) A case of Caphira yoodokai eating Tritoniopsis elegans. [Message in] Sea Slug Forum. Australian Museum, Sydney. Available from http://www.seaslugforum.net/find/20129

Dear Seiko & Akira,
This is a interesting observation - if sad for the nudibranch. It is a good addition to the predators page. As you suggest, it would be interesting to know if the crab was protecting its 'territory' or just eating some food. These soft-corals have some very distasteful chemicals in their tissues some of which can accumulate in the nudibranch's skin. From your description it seems the crab is not put off by them.

Best wishes,
Bill Rudman

Rudman, W.B., 2007 (Jul 7). Comment on A case of Caphira yoodokai eating Tritoniopsis elegans by Seiko Kuroe & Akira Mada. [Message in] Sea Slug Forum. Australian Museum, Sydney. Available from http://www.seaslugforum.net/find/20129

Factsheet

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