Egg-eating aeolids from Japan

April 30, 2008
From: Ayumi Murakami


Concerning message #2846:

Dear Bill

I have observed aeolids inside of an unknown egg mass on the 19th-20th of April 2008 at Futou beach, Izu Peninsula in Japan.

One animal was 3.5mm in length and the biggest one was 8 mm both measured outside of egg mass. I have also found one in the sand about 2-4 cm under the surface.This species can go into the sand very quickly.

I am attaching three photos:
1. the 3.5mm length one
2. one inside an egg mass
3.the 8 mm length one was going into the sand

Do you think these animals are Favorinus?

I will send another message with pictures of different egg masses [#21547].

Locality: Futou Beach, Izu Peninsula, 6-9 m, Japan, Pacific Ocean, the 19 - 20;April 2008, muddy sand . Length: 3.5 mm, 8 mm. Photographer: Ayumi Murakami.

Ayumi Murakami

umiushi2@masea.info

Ayumi Murakami, 2008 (Apr 30) Egg-eating aeolids from Japan. [Message in] Sea Slug Forum. Australian Museum, Sydney. Available from http://www.seaslugforum.net/find/21545

Dear Ayumi,

Thanks for these interesting photos. I am pretty sure they are Favorinus sp 3, which from previous reports seems to prefer eating polychaete worm eggs. Your close-up of the eggs suggests they are also polychaete eggs. There is the possibility this aeolid is not a Favorinus, as I know nothing of its anatomy. However since eggs are the main diet of species of Favorinus, it is a good guess to suggest it is a species Favorinus.

Best wishes,
Bill Rudman

Rudman, W.B., 2008 (Apr 30). Comment on Egg-eating aeolids from Japan by Ayumi Murakami. [Message in] Sea Slug Forum. Australian Museum, Sydney. Available from http://www.seaslugforum.net/find/21545

Factsheet

Favorinus sp. 3

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