Gastropteron rubrum from Mediterranean France

September 4, 2001
From: H. & J-P. Castillo

This animal is from Antibes, French coast of the Mediterranean.

It was photographed by Michel Dune on a sandy bottom at 30-40m in August 2001.

Is it a species of Gastropteron?

Thank you
Hélene et Jean-Pierre Castillo

jpc26@club-internet.fr

Castillo, H. & J-P. , 2001 (Sep 4) Gastropteron rubrum from Mediterranean France. [Message in] Sea Slug Forum. Australian Museum, Sydney. Available from http://www.seaslugforum.net/find/5205

Dear Hélène & Jean-Pierre,
Thank you and Michel for sharing these beautiful photos. This is indeed a species of Gastropteron. It is Gastropteron rubrum which is found in the Mediterrean and along the Atlantic coast from southern France to Morocco. It is also reported from the west Atlantic from Florida to Brazil.

Like many species of the Gastropteridae, it is able to swim [see photos of Sagaminoteron ornatum] but its parapodia are much larger, relative to the size of the body, than in Indo-West Pacific species with which I am familiar. To my knowledge, we have no information on what these animals eat. So if this Gastropteron is common where you dive it would be very interesting to see what it is feeding on. Many Pacific species are found on sponges. I am not convinced that they feed on sponges so any clues from the Mediterranean would be very welcome.
Best wishes,
Bill Rudman

Rudman, W.B., 2001 (Sep 4). Comment on Gastropteron rubrum from Mediterranean France by H. & J-P. Castillo. [Message in] Sea Slug Forum. Australian Museum, Sydney. Available from http://www.seaslugforum.net/find/5205

Factsheet

Gastropteron rubrum

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