Elysia mercieri from Heron Island

April 22, 2002
From: Julie Marshall

Dear Bill,
Attached are a couple of images of Elysia mercieri. Like the species of Carlson & Hoff this animal had only two sets of parapodial papillae. It was 7 mm in size and found at Heron Island [Great Barrier Reef] under a dead coral slab at the reef crest at low tide in January 1994. The other distinguishing feature of this species, apart from the parapodial papillae, is its very long, thin rhinophores which are ornamented with papillae.

Best wishes,
Julie Marshall

juliemarshall@netspace.net.au

Marshall, J., 2002 (Apr 22) Elysia mercieri from Heron Island. [Message in] Sea Slug Forum. Australian Museum, Sydney. Available from http://www.seaslugforum.net/find/6710

Thanks Julie,
I have also seen specimens which have pinkish markings as well. As we can see in the close-up of the head, the colour of the animal is dependent on plant pigments stored in fine branches of the gut found in the body wall.
Best wishes,
Bill Rudman

Rudman, W.B., 2002 (Apr 22). Comment on Elysia mercieri from Heron Island by Julie Marshall. [Message in] Sea Slug Forum. Australian Museum, Sydney. Available from http://www.seaslugforum.net/find/6710

Factsheet

Elysia mercieri

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