Bulla quoyii from South Australia

September 3, 2003
From: John Chuk

Dear Bill,
As an addition to the recent messages regarding Bulla quoyii here is a head on shot of a specimen photographed at Edithburgh Jetty, South Australia on 27th February 2001. The specimen measured about 30mm in length. At that time the species was abundant and hundreds were found at night feeding on filamentous algae growing on a large bed of ascidians on the bottom at a depth of 1.5m.

I did try placing a specimen on the sand bottom for a better shot but before I could aim the camera the specimen had half buried itself! Seconds later it completely disappeared.

The species was only seen at night. All specimens were very photophobic and would move away from a torch beam quite rapidly. I suspect specimens spend the daylight hours under rocks or buried in sediment.

I returned to the site in February 2003 and after three night dives had found a total of three small specimens. For whatever reasons some years are better than others for the local Bulla quoyii population.

I have found shells of the species at many sites in Victoria but have yet to meet a live specimen.

Best wishes,
John.

jchuk@giant.net.au

Chuk, J., 2003 (Sep 3) Bulla quoyii from South Australia. [Message in] Sea Slug Forum. Australian Museum, Sydney. Available from http://www.seaslugforum.net/find/10890

Thanks John,
I certainly think the nocturnal activity of this species is one reason it is often hard to find. The other as you also suggest, is that its population cycles are very erratic, sometimes in large numbers. other times very scarce. I am also intersted in the colour of the animal in your photo. New Zealand animals are always a distinctive yellow or orange, with pale specks, never this reddish brown
Best wishes,
Bill Rudman

Rudman, W.B, 2003 (Sep 3). Comment on Bulla quoyii from South Australia by John Chuk. [Message in] Sea Slug Forum. Australian Museum, Sydney. Available from http://www.seaslugforum.net/find/10890

Factsheet

Bulla quoyii

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