Favorinus blianus feeding
September 4, 2006
From: Jim Greenfield
Spotted four pairs of Favorinus blianus in the North Sea. I never saw one singly. All were on spawning masses of Onchidoris bilamellata (of which there were colossal numbers).
Location - Pettico Wick on the NW side of St. Abbs Head, about 35 miles south of Edinburgh. 17 m, Scotland, UK, North Sea, 30 July 2006, Small stony outcrops on clean sand. Length: approx 20 mm. Photographer: Jim Greenfield.
Jim Greenfield.
jimgreenfield@ntlworld.com
Greenfield, J., 2006 (Sep 4) Favorinus blianus feeding. [Message in] Sea Slug Forum. Australian Museum, Sydney. Available from http://www.seaslugforum.net/find/17738
Dear Jim,
Thanks for this interesting observation. Certainly from earlier messages on the Forum this is the time Onchidoris bilamellata spawns in Scotland - at least on the west coast - so this observation suggests it does the same on the east coast as well. In your photo you can clearly see the packed Onchidoris as well as the Favorinus. Species of Favorinus all feed on opisthobranch eggs so its not surprising they are taking advantage of such an abundant source of eggs. I really can't comment on them being in pairs. I guess they are both attracted to the egg masses, but why not in threes or fours?
Best wishes,
Bill Rudman
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