Euselenops luniceps - mating and swimming

March 14, 2002
From: Akos Lumnitzer


Hi Bill,
After many years of searching for these gorgeous Pleurobranchs, we saw not one but perhaps a couple of dozen at Camp Cove in Sydney Harbour on a night dive in January this year [2002].

I touched one accidentally and found that it swam like some Aplysiids and our old favourite, Hexabranchus sanguineus . I only read later on the species' pages from another Sydney diver's message that yes, Euselenops luniceps can indeed swim. I managed one reasonable shot. Also the pair of them mating may be of interest to you. All were out on the open sandy, shell grit-covered bottom crawling around at a moderate speed. (I am not sure about the speed in micro km/hr though)
Regards
Ákos

Akos.Lumnitzer@exel.com

Lumnitzer, A., 2002 (Mar 14) Euselenops luniceps - mating and swimming. [Message in] Sea Slug Forum. Australian Museum, Sydney. Available from http://www.seaslugforum.net/find/6418

Thanks Ákos,
I'll forgive your unscientific speed reading in return for the wonderful photo of it swimming. It reminds be a bit of the European pleurobramch Pleurobranchus membranaceus, but in that species it swims upside down, flapping its large extended foot and letting its mantle hang limp.
Best wishes,
Bill Rudman

Rudman, W.B., 2002 (Mar 14). Comment on Euselenops luniceps - mating and swimming by Akos Lumnitzer. [Message in] Sea Slug Forum. Australian Museum, Sydney. Available from http://www.seaslugforum.net/find/6418

Factsheet

Euselenops luniceps

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