Feeding observations on Chromodoris binza

May 18, 2009
From: Anne DuPont

Hello Bill,
I hope you are doing well and are in good health. Here, hopefully, are some more chromodorid feeding photos for you. I observed these two Chromodoris binza which appeared to be feeding on this purple sponge.

Locality details: Lake Worth Lagoon, Palm Beach, Florida, USA.
Atlantic Ocean. Depth: 12 feet. Specimen length: appx 10 mm. 11 June 2008. Photographer: Anne DuPont

Do you think they are feeding and what is the name of the sponge?
Thank you for all the wonderful work you do on the forum.

Cordially,
Anne DuPont
Delray Beach, Fl.

akdupont@bellsouth.net

DuPont, A., 2009 (May 18) Feeding observations on Chromodoris binza. [Message in] Sea Slug Forum. Australian Museum, Sydney. Available from http://www.seaslugforum.net/find/22470

Dear Anne,

Thanks for this great set of photos. There is no doubt in my mind that they are feeding on this purple sponge. More importantly, I am 99% sure it is the same sponge as your Chromodoris clenchi was eating in your message #20835.

I think the sponge is a species of Chelonaplysilla. Interestingly in the Indo-West Pacific Chelonaplysilla violacea is the preferred food of 15 or more chromodorid species most of which have purple in their colour pattern.
Perhaps the purple pigment in these chromodorids is derived from the sponge? If you feel the sponge it has a rough texture, because it
incorporates small sand grains in its tissue.

I will of course need to check the identity of the sponge with an expert. Also of interest is that C. binza and C. clenchi are two of a group of Atlantic species some of which may be forms of one species [see message #3157]. In commenting on that message I said 'It would be interesting to get some information on their food preferences and the shape of their egg masses'. Your two messages are a valuable couple of steps in building up information on these colourful, if problematic, species.

Note added 19 May 2009: The purple sponge in the upper corners of the lower photo [and lower close-up in middle left photo] are a species of Dysidea, which is living alongside the Chelonaplysilla. See Linda Ianniello's message [# 22482] for further photos and discussion.

Best wishes,
Bill Rudman

Rudman, W.B., 2009 (May 18). Comment on Feeding observations on Chromodoris binza by Anne DuPont. [Message in] Sea Slug Forum. Australian Museum, Sydney. Available from http://www.seaslugforum.net/find/22470

Factsheet

Chromodoris binza

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