Re: Oxynoe olivacea from Turkey

October 7, 2002
From: Kathe R. Jensen

Dear Bill,
The transparent "feeding scar" made by Oxynoe olivacea on Caulerpa prolifera is definitely the external cell wall. But if you look around the margin of the empty part you will see a "star-like" pattern, which may be internal trabeculae, or just the way the cytoplasm forms "wound plugs".

It is characteristic that all species of Oxynoe completely empty a segment of the Caulerpa they feed on, whereas Elysias feeding on the same species of Caulerpa only leave a very small spot that is completely empty. They suck cytoplasm from a wide area, but without emptying the sement completely. This will turn yellow shortly after feeding has been completed, probably indicating that the alga retracts the remaining chloroplasts from the damaged segment.

Best wishes,
Kathe

jensen@ait.ac.th

Jensen, K.R., 2002 (Oct 7) Re: Oxynoe olivacea from Turkey. [Message in] Sea Slug Forum. Australian Museum, Sydney. Available from http://www.seaslugforum.net/find/8138

Thanks Kathe,
Bill Rudman

Factsheet

Oxynoe olivacea

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