Pigmentation in Tritonia

March 25, 2005
From: Eleanor Vesty

I am currently studying Marine Biology at the University of Plymouth, England. I am hoping to conduct my 3rd year dissertation on the identification and origin of pigments in Tritonia hombergi. I understand that it often matches the colour of the soft coral it feeds upon. I am interested in finding out whether its colouration comes from pigments assimilated from Alcyonium digitatum or whether it produces them itself. I will be using chromatography methods to separate out and identify the different pigments and compare them against standards. I also hope to possibly trace the pigments back to the phytoplankton that the corals feed on.

I have also been advised that Tritonia nilsodhneri shows similar actions and often closely matches the colour of the gorgonian it feeds upon. I have read many of the articles on this site and would just like to appeal for any information anyone could give me. In particular if anyone knows which of the above two would be a better, more abundant species to study in this area (Plymouth)? Possible pigments that could cause orange, yellow or pink colouration? Whether Tritonia nilsdhneri feeds on different gorgonians or just one species? Any information would be greatly received.

Please email any relevant information to me
Many thanks
Eleanor Vesty

ellyvesty@hotmail.co.uk

Vesty, E., 2005 (Mar 25) Pigmentation in Tritonia. [Message in] Sea Slug Forum. Australian Museum, Sydney. Available from http://www.seaslugforum.net/find/13414

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