Colour camouflage in Oxynoe kabirensis

May 11, 2002
From: Nishina Masayoshi


Dear Bill,
To accompany my other images of Oxynoe kabiraensis here is one showing how I think it is camouflaged when living on the Caulerpa on which it feeds. From the dorsal view, you can see that the dark triangle pattern breaks the light green part of the body into two rounded regions wjhich look similar in shape and size to the Caulerpa's 'ramuli'

Photo by N.Masayoshi at Hachijo Island.

Best Regards,
Nishina Masayoshi

nishina@wips.co.jp

Masayoshi, N., 2002 (May 11) Colour camouflage in Oxynoe kabirensis. [Message in] Sea Slug Forum. Australian Museum, Sydney. Available from http://www.seaslugforum.net/find/6915

Dear Nishina,
Thanks for this fascinating photo. I have included a close-up of the animal so it is easier to find in the whole photo at the top. It certainly looks as though the animal's colour pattern is to help it hide, much like the southeastern Australian bivalved sacoglossans such as Midorigai australis.
Best wishes,
Bill Rudman

Rudman, W.B., 2002 (May 11). Comment on Colour camouflage in Oxynoe kabirensis by Nishina Masayoshi. [Message in] Sea Slug Forum. Australian Museum, Sydney. Available from http://www.seaslugforum.net/find/6915

Factsheet

Oxynoe kabirensis

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  1. Oxynoe kabirensis at Hachijo Island
    From: Nishina Masayoshi, May 11, 2002
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