6 replies to this topic

[Luko]

Cannot interpret what's wrong with this Hypselodoris Bullocki in Lembeh.

Quite smallish, no more than 3 cm, I reckon. Not really a first class photo subject but at first look, it seemed like having a problem. Hence I took a quick shot.
On dryland, closer inspection showed the gills were displaying either malformation, parasite or some stuff with egglike texture.

I posted 2 images of the nudi and a closeup of the same photo. Would somebody enlight me of what is going on with it?    

Thanks
Luko

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[Leslie]

I don't know what's happening with the gills but those eggs are from an internal crustacean parasite, most likely a copepod.

[Alex_Mustard]

That's very interesting.

[RWBrooks]

Internal Crustacean Parasite....
nice!

[Luko]

Thanks for your help.
Two more questions :
- considering the 2 eggs pouch, the copepod looks very big, oversized comparing to its host... or am I wrong?
- I'd also suppose the gills alteration has something to do with the insider size, probably preventing them to come out completely ?

[Leslie]

I've no idea about copepod size. Why don't you write Michael Schroedl, an expert on both nudibranchs & their copepod parasites? schroedl@zi.biologie.uni-muenchen.de

The gill damage might be a coincidence. If I saw that kind of damage without the egg sacs I would guess that a predator took a bite out of the gills and they are now regrowing.

[Luko]

I've no idea about copepod size. Why don't you write Michael Schroedl, an expert on both nudibranchs & their copepod parasites? schroedl@zi.biologie.uni-muenchen.de

The gill damage might be a coincidence. If I saw that kind of damage without the egg sacs I would guess that a predator took a bite out of the gills and they are now regrowing.

Thanks Leslie.