Elysia bangtawaensis from Cairns, nthn Queensland

September 7, 2009
From: Andrew Mitchell

Concerning message #20377:

These sea slugs are the first of their kind that I have seen, despite having spent much time in mangrove habitats. I think that a nearby sewage treatment plant may increase algal growth and enable the slugs to thrive in this system. Huge numbers grazing gastropods occur in the near by mangroves (Telescopium and Terebralia ).

The underwater photo was taken in situ using a compact underwater camera. As the habitat is dark and the slugs crowd the surface and any movement by yourself or the gobies and crabs that share the creek stir up sediment, photography is difficult. Total population seen would be 300 animals in 10 m of creek. The slugs are clustered. The dots on the back of the slug appear bright metallic blue in the field.

Locality: Moon River, Yorkeys Knob, Cairns, Intertidal, Queensland Australia, Pacific Ocean, Coral Sea, 05 September 2009, Small channel in back swamp, soft sandy mud. Length: ~30 mm. Photographer: Andrew Mitchell.

Andrew Mitchell.

Andrew.Mitchell@westnet.com.au

Mitchell, A. C., 2009 (Sep 7) Elysia bangtawaensis from Cairns, nthn Queensland. [Message in] Sea Slug Forum. Australian Museum, Sydney. Available from http://www.seaslugforum.net/find/22655

Dear Andrew,

This is an interesting find. The previous Australian records of Elysia bangtawaensis were from nthn New South Wales and sthn Queensland so your record from nthn Queensland help fill the large gap between sthn Queensland and the only other known populations in Thailand.

It would be interesting to know more about the biology and natural history of this species.

Best wishes,
Bill Rudman

Rudman, W.B., 2009 (Sep 7). Comment on Elysia bangtawaensis from Cairns, nthn Queensland by Andrew Mitchell. [Message in] Sea Slug Forum. Australian Museum, Sydney. Available from http://www.seaslugforum.net/find/22655

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Elysia bangtawaensis

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