Re: Elysia on Caulerpa taxifolia

August 18, 2003
From: Tim Glasby


Dear Bill,
Since my first inquiry it has been great to see the recent images of Elysia from all over the world. I have attached a photo of the egg ribbon of the Elysia from Sydney that occurs on Caulerpa taxifolia and a close-up of the mollusc. The eggs look like those photographed by Baki [message 1, message 2]. I will be interested to hear how Baki's research goes. A biological control for C. taxifolia would be wonderful. Unfortunately, there is little indication that E. tomentosa has any signficant effect on the spread of C. taxifolia in Sydney as the alga appears very healthy and covers large areas of seafloor depite having E. tomentosa all over it. Still, there is much we do not know. It does seem, however, that the Elysia have disappeared from many areas in recent weeks, concomitant with a drop in water temperature to around 16 degrees. I have also attached a photo of another nudibranch found on C. taxifolia in Botany Bay (Sydney) at a depth of 3 m. Do you happen to recognise it?
All the best,
Tim Glasby
tim.glasby@fisheries.nsw.gov.au

tim.glasby@fisheries.nsw.gov.au

Glasby, T., 2003 (Aug 18) Re: Elysia on Caulerpa taxifolia. [Message in] Sea Slug Forum. Australian Museum, Sydney. Available from http://www.seaslugforum.net/find/10773

Thanks Tim,
The egg ribbon does look very similar, if not identical, to Baki Yokes's from Turkey, and your photo of the animal clearly shows the marginal pink band and submarginal black lines. Interestingly this specimen is only slightly papillate which suggests the species shows some considerable variation in the degree of papillation. Concerning biological control, I think the general consensus is that we have still to find the sacoglossan that can make any any meaningful impact on a large bed of any species of Caulerpa. Keep us informed of further developments. As you can see, there is a worldwide interest in your animal
Best wishes,
Bill Rudman

Rudman, W.B., 2003 (Aug 18). Comment on Re: Elysia on Caulerpa taxifolia by Tim Glasby. [Message in] Sea Slug Forum. Australian Museum, Sydney. Available from http://www.seaslugforum.net/find/10773

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