Re: More on Chelidonura feeding

February 8, 2000
From: Cory Pittman

Dear Dr. Rudman,

I thought you might like an update on Chelidonura feeding (however belated). During my last couple of trips to Maui, I've replicated the observations of Chelidonura fulvipunctata and C. hirundinina several times with the same results. In addition, I've offered Convoluta sp. several times to an unnamed species of Chelidonura that's also common in the same habitat. That species has a much slower feeding strike than the other two allowing the details to be easily seen. The pharynx is everted sufficiently to form a short tube and the worm is sucked in "spaghetti-fashion". It strikes immediately on contact with the worm and shows no sign of regurgitation or rejection (unlike C. fulvipunctata which engulfs, then regurgitates and C. hirundinina which tests, then rejects). It's my subjective impression that the worms show a stronger aversive response to contact with Chelidonura sp. than with the other two. Additionally, Chelidonura fulvipunctata is nocturnal while C. hirundinina, Chelidonura sp. and Convoluta sp. are active during the day. So, there's a good chance that Chelidonura sp. is the one that actually feeds on Convoluta sp. in the field.

By the way , Terry Gosliner reported C. hirundinina feeding on acoel flatworms in Coral Reef Animals of the Indo-Pacific, 1996 (and, I believe, elsewhere) prior to my first message (something I didn't recall when I sent it). So, he should be credited with the first observations in that regard.

Best wishes,

Cory Pittman

cory@cet.cet.com

Pittman, C., 2000 (Feb 8) Re: More on Chelidonura feeding. [Message in] Sea Slug Forum. Australian Museum, Sydney. Available from http://www.seaslugforum.net/find/1870

Dear Cory,
Thanks for the further information. I only saw a copy of the Coral Reef Animals book late last year and must admit to not noticing the reference to C. hirundinina feeding on Convoluta. I had a quick scan of the literature this morning and note that Terry also mentioned C. hirundinina "feeding on small flatworms" in his South African book which I had certainly not noticed.

Although not first, your observations are very valuable in helping to show that Terry's species specific observation, can probably be applied to the whole genus.

Thanks again,
Bill Rudman.

Rudman, W.B., 2000 (Feb 8). Comment on Re: More on Chelidonura feeding by Cory Pittman. [Message in] Sea Slug Forum. Australian Museum, Sydney. Available from http://www.seaslugforum.net/find/1870

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