Re: Hoplodoris sp? from Townsville, QLD

September 12, 2008
From: Melanie Wood


Concerning message #21191:

Hello again,

Well, I was just down at my usual haunt and came across this one again, with egg masses! I saw 3 egg masses on the rock with this one and another 4 on various other rocks. I was excited and hope that it may aid in confirming the species in this area. From what I have been told by a lecturer at James Cook University, I believe Gillian Brodie may have been working on one of these species, but I am not sure.

Locality: Rowes Bay, Low tide, exposed, Queensland, Australia, 16 May 2008, Intertidal muddy. Length: 7 cm. Photographer: Melanie Wood.

I also have some more photos of the egg masses as well as the underside of this specimen if needed.

I do have a question, I was wondering if any work has been done on the toxins for these guys? There was quite a strong odor near this one and I later had a reaction, with my hand swelling, after picking this one up (in my infinite wisdom).

Thank you again
Mel

gizmel@yahoo.com

Wood, M. J., 2008 (Sep 12) Re: Hoplodoris sp? from Townsville, QLD. [Message in] Sea Slug Forum. Australian Museum, Sydney. Available from http://www.seaslugforum.net/find/21579

Dear Mel,

Gillianne Brodie was working on species of Dendrodoris so I suspect the species your lecturer was referring to was Dendrodoris denisoni which can look quite similar. I am pretty sure this is a species of Hoplodoris and the shape of the pustules on the dorsum - stalked and inflated - make me think this could be Hoplodoris armata as that is the only species with pustules shaped like this.

Concerning your hand swelling, it is possible that this nudibranch feeds on a sponge you may be allergic to. There are a number of sponges which cause some people to have allergic reactions. It is also possible the allergy was a response to toxins being produced by bacteria or other primitive organisms living symbiotically with the sponge. Another possibility is there was a nasty cnidarian or polychaete worm nearby which you touched inadvertently. Anything is possible in tropical waters but thankfully for all us, bad things rarely happen. It would be very difficult to study things in detail if we had to wear safety clothing all the time.

Best wishes,
Bill Rudman

Rudman, W.B., 2008 (Sep 12). Comment on Re: Hoplodoris sp? from Townsville, QLD by Melanie Wood. [Message in] Sea Slug Forum. Australian Museum, Sydney. Available from http://www.seaslugforum.net/find/21579

Factsheet

Hoplodoris armata

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