A mystery from New South Wales

January 7, 1999
From: Felicity Alexander

Hi Bill
Can you help identify an unknown 'creature' without photograph?  It was found in a tidal pool in Bawley Point near Bateman's Bay NSW attached to some kelp on Sunday 3.1.99.  Similar to a Nudibranch in appearance - made up of 'cells' that were mostly orange except for a grey strip of 'cells' down the back. At one end it had a wavy mantle similar to the mantle on a giant claim.  Inside the the mantle where anenome-like tendrils.  Size
about 15cm long and 8cm wide.  We have scanned the Nudibranch and Sea Snails Indo-Pacific Field Guide and found the Archidoris wellingtonensis which is similar in appearance but without the grey strip or clam-like mantle. 
Can you help?
    
Regards
Felicity Alexander

Felicity.Alexander@chancellorgroup.com.au

Alexander, F., 1999 (Jan 7) A mystery from New South Wales. [Message in] Sea Slug Forum. Australian Museum, Sydney. Available from http://www.seaslugforum.net/find/450

Dear Felicity,
I may be quite wrong but your description reminds me of the Wandering Sea Anemone, Phlyctenanthus australis, which is often found attached to kelp. At times its drops off and can be found rolling around, hence its common name. It certainly looks a bit like Archidoris wellingtonensis but the oral tentacles, which expand when the animal is undisturbed and immersed in water, clearly show that it is a sea anemone.
This is the third animal I have been asked to identify without photos in the last few days. Is this what you saw?
Bill Rudman

Rudman, W.B., 1999 (Jan 7). Comment on A mystery from New South Wales by Felicity Alexander . [Message in] Sea Slug Forum. Australian Museum, Sydney. Available from http://www.seaslugforum.net/find/450

Factsheet

Wandering Sea Anemone, (Phlyctenactis tuberculosa )

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