Re: Elysia obtusa from Japan

July 26, 2001
From: Cynthia Trowbridge

Dear Bill,
What a coincidence: I just found this same sacoglossan species yesterday on a very small species of intertidal Bryopsis in Sagami Bay, here in Japan. The animal is bright orange, particularly the head. Perhaps Bryopsis chloroplasts are not as stable as Codium and Caulerpa chloroplasts when inside sacoglossans. As you say, the green chlorophyll breaks down into orange degradation products; it would be very neat if someone would calibrate the color change with slug starvation, under different light conditions, for this species. I did so for Placida dendritica in Oregon but I am not sure how general the results are in estimating the time since last feeding for other sacoglossans. This would be an interesting student project.

Cordially,
Cynthia

trowbric@ucs.orst.edu

Trowbridge, C., 2001 (Jul 26) Re: Elysia obtusa from Japan. [Message in] Sea Slug Forum. Australian Museum, Sydney. Available from http://www.seaslugforum.net/find/4923

Dear Cynthia,
This shy retiring little sacoglossan has certainly generated some interest. Six messages in 2 days. There are certainly lots of interesting projects for students but I find that the only problem with opisthobranchs is that you can't guarantee that the ones you want are going to be available when you need them. I am glad to hear your Japanese visit is obviously being very productive.
Best wishes,
Bill Rudman

Factsheet

Elysia obtusa

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