Re: Limapontia capitata on Vaucheria

November 6, 2009
From: Kathe R. Jensen

Concerning message #22752:

Dear Bill and Ian,

The filamentous alga in this message looks more like it would be Rhizoclonium. It could be Chaetomorpha, but a very fine filamentous kind. Rhizoclonium often co-occurs with the more bluish-green Vaucheria. Vaucheria also tends to have a softer texture, though this may be difficult to assess since usually sediment adheres to the algal filaments. Limapontia capitata will feed on Rhizoclonium, but I have never seen it feeding on Vaucheria. The one picture with the triangular white spot is definitely L. capitata, whereas the other photos with a very short tail and rather broad head are more difficult to identify with certainty - without knowing the position of the anus (or shape of penial stylet).

Best wishes,
Kathe

krjensen@snm.ku.dk

Jensen, K.R., 2009 (Nov 6) Re: Limapontia capitata on Vaucheria. [Message in] Sea Slug Forum. Australian Museum, Sydney. Available from http://www.seaslugforum.net/find/22758

Dear Kathe,

Thanks for your comments. Your mention of a 'short tail' reminded me I meant to mention that in Limapontia depressa the posterior part of the body is bluntly rounded with only a short 'tail' section of the foot extending beyond the main body mass. This differs from L. senestra and L. capitata in which there is quite a long tapering 'tail'.

Best wishes,
Bill Rudman

Rudman, W.B., 2009 (Nov 6). Comment on Re: Limapontia capitata on Vaucheria by Kathe R. Jensen. [Message in] Sea Slug Forum. Australian Museum, Sydney. Available from http://www.seaslugforum.net/find/22758

Factsheet

Limapontia capitata

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