Cyerce sp. 3
Order: SACOGLOSSA
Superfamily: LIMAPONTIOIDEA
Family: Caliphyllidae
DISTRIBUTION
Recorded here from Japan, but I have also seen it in parts of the southwestern Pacific so it may have quite a wide distribution.
PHOTO
Hachijo Island, Japan, 6m, 3 March, 2002. Length 20mm. Photo: Nishina Masayoshi
Authorship detailsRudman, W.B., 2002 (March 20) Cyerce sp. 3 [In] Sea Slug Forum. Australian Museum, Sydney. Available from http://www.seaslugforum.net/find/cyersp3
Related messages
First record of Cyerce sp.3 from Reunion Id.
February 7, 2008
From: Hugues Flodrops
Concerning message #6377:
Dear Bill and Nishina,
I found this Cyerce named Cyerce sp.3 on the forum. It looks very similar to Nishina's picture. It's the first observation at Indian Ocean. It confirms your suggestion of a wide distribution.
Locality: Etang-Salé, 1 metre, Reunion Island, Indian Ocean, 30 January 2008, Gula cyclone. Length: 12-14 mm. Photographer: Hugues Flodrops.
Best regards.
Hugues.
hugues.flodrops@wanadoo.fr
Flodrops, H., 2008 (Feb 7) First record of Cyerce sp.3 from Reunion Id.. [Message in] Sea Slug Forum. Australian Museum, Sydney. Available from http://www.seaslugforum.net/find/21350
Dear Hugues,
Thanks for the record. I have included a 'close-up' to show the tubercles on the inflated cerata.
Best wishes,
Bill Rudman
Cyerce sp. 3 from Hawaii
April 4, 2002
From: Cory Pittman
Dear Bill,
I thought you might like a photo to extend the range of Cyerce sp. 3 to Hawaii. However, Pauline Fiene-Severns found the first specimens during our current project and Scott Johnson found it several years before she did. So, I can't claim a new record. The animal in the photo was taken in an algae wash at Hekili Point, Maui on September 20, 1998. It was found in a semi-protected, back-reef habitat at a depth of less than 1 m (although most of our specimens are from somewhat more exposed sites and at depths of up to 9 m). It was 6mm in length.
Of interest, perhaps, is that it has a swimming escape behavior. When disturbed, it arches its body ventrally until the head and the tip of the foot nearly touch. In that posture, the cerata are "splayed out" into a circular position and partially contracted at their bases. Then, it swims up into the water column by rhythmically sweeping the cerata up and down creating a pulsing effect reminiscent of a medusa (without, otherwise, moving its body). If I recall correctly, I've observed them swimming continuously for up to 20 or 30 seconds in dishes. Unfortunately, I haven't managed to photograph one "in action".
Best wishes,
Cory
cory@cet.com
Pittman, C., 2002 (Apr 4) Cyerce sp. 3 from Hawaii. [Message in] Sea Slug Forum. Australian Museum, Sydney. Available from http://www.seaslugforum.net/find/6627Thanks Cory,
It certainly has that 'slight difference' many Hawaiian species seem to have, but the yellow spots around the ceratal edge, though smaller, suggest it is the same.
Best wishes,
Bill Rudman
Cyerce sp.? from Japan
March 22, 2002
From: Nishina Masayoshi
Dear Bill,
I think this belongs to the genus Cyerce but I have no idea of its name. This species is sometimes found in Hachijo Island.
Date: 3 March, 2002
Location: Hachijo Island, Japan
Depth: 6m
Length: 20mm
Best Regards,
Nishina Masayoshi
nishina@wips.co.jp
Dear Nishina,
As far as I know this species is unnamed. I have also seen it in parts of the southwestern Pacific so it may have quite a wide distribution.
Best wishes,
Bill Rudman
