Trapania brunnea from S.E. Australia

February 17, 2002
From: John Chuk

Dear Bill,
Here is an in situ shot of two specimens of Trapania brunnea seen feeding on small arborescent bryozoan colonies that were growing out of an orange sponge. They were found at a depth of 3m on a pier pylon at Portsea pier, Victoria, Australia, on December 18, 2001. The specimens were both 14mm in length.

I am unable to identify the bryozoan but it appears to be a popular food source for several species of nudibranch at this site.

Best wishes,
John.

jchuk@giant.net.au

Chuk, J., 2002 (Feb 17) Trapania brunnea from S.E. Australia. [Message in] Sea Slug Forum. Australian Museum, Sydney. Available from http://www.seaslugforum.net/find/6221

Dear John,
Thanks for this photo. If they are feeding on the bryozoans it will be an interesting observation because we have got quite a bit of evidence on the Forum to show they feed on entoprocts rather than bryozoans (which are also called Ectoprocta to confuse the issue]. Entoprocts are a strange group of invertebrates that used to be considered bryozoans. Have a look at my recent message about Trapania toddi. It is possible the fuzzy stuff on the red sponge is a 'carpet' of entoprocts and the bryozoans are just there coincidentally, or it could be that they are feeding on arborescent bryozoans. Either information would be of interest as we have no information on this species' food. Perhaps you could check out your photos from some conclusive evidence one way or the other,
best wishes,
Bill Rudman

Rudman, W.B., 2002 (Feb 17). Comment on Trapania brunnea from S.E. Australia by John Chuk. [Message in] Sea Slug Forum. Australian Museum, Sydney. Available from http://www.seaslugforum.net/find/6221

Factsheet

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